BX  7260    .H89  A4  1835 
Hyde,  Alvan,  1768-1833. 
Memoir  of  Rev.  Alvan  Hyde, 
D . D . ,  of  Lee ,  Mass 


Digitized  by  tine  Internet  Arcliive 
in  2014 


https://arcliive.org/details/memoirofrevalvanOOIiyde_0 


Pahlis^ied,    by  Pe-rh-ri^  MarYm&  Co,  Boston  . 


MEMOIR 


OF 


REV.  ALVAN  HYDE,  D.  D. 

OF 


LEE,  MASS. 


BOSTON  : 

PUBLISHED  BY  PERKINS,  MARVIN,  &  CO. 
PHILADELPHIA  : 
HENRY  PERKINS. 

1835. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1834, 
By  Perkins,  Marvin,  &  Co. 
In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  Massachusetts. 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


This  volume  presents  to  the  public  the  diary 
and  letters  of  one  whom  the  Lord  honored  as  a 
useful  laborer  in  his  vineyard.  As  it  was  very 
remote  from  his  feelings,  while  living,  to  seek  his 
own  glory,  or  to  take  any  pre-eminence  among 
his  brethren,  so  it  is  no  part  of  the  design  of  the 
compiler  of  these  papers,  to  exhibit  him  before  his 
readers  as  an  extraordinary  man.  In  his  diary, 
which  is  but  little  more  than  a  brief  notice  annually, 
of  some  of  the  providences  of  God  toward  him  and 
liis  family,  with  his  reflections  upon  them,  are  such 
feelings  expressed  as  every  man,  under  similar 
circumstances,  may  be  supposed  to  indulge  ;  and 


iv  ADVERTISEMENT. 

his  letters  are  such,  as  grew  out  of  the  occasions 
that  called  them  forth — the  effusions  of  faithful 
friendship,  or  parental  kindness. 

It  was  at  first  designed  to  arrange  all  his  letters 
according  to  the  time  in  which  they  were  written, 
but  on  examination,  it  was  thought  better  to  let 
his  communications  to  his  children,  occupy  a  separate 
portion  of  the  volume. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

His  Diary,  giving  an  account  of  his  Parentage — His  Col'egiate  Life — 
His  Letters  vvlnle  in  College— Teatlies  a  School  in  Northamptoa 
— His  i^ickncss  uhile  iji  that  pldce,  13 

CHAPTER  H. 

Commences  his  Professional  Studies — License  to  Preach — His  first 
labors  as  a  Preacher — His  Call  to  settle  in  West  Stockbridge — 
Preaches  at  Clinton,  New  York — His  Ordiuatiou  in  Lee,    ...  20 

CHAPTER  111. 

Revival  soon  after  his  Ordination — His  Theological  Sentiments — His 

Marriage— His  Letters  till  1800   27 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Second  Revival — His  Letters — Death  of  his  Father — Letter  of  Condo- 
lence to  bis  Mother — Other  Letters,  42 

CHAPTER  V. 

Commencement  of  the  Third  Revival  under  his  ministry — Birthday 
reflections — Inciters — Peelings  (or  hiat'hildren — Joy  on  the  Hope- 
ful Cojiversion  of  his  oldest  £)un,  .    ,    ,  50 


vi 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Death  of  his  son  Charles  Packus— His  ow;i  si(kiie5S  in  1813— His 
viRvvs  of  enlire  Dependence  and  per  fect  Atconuiabilily — Diary 
and  Letters  to  1819,  70 

CHAPTER  Vn. 

Birthday  reflections  for  1819— Letters— Attends  the  Ordinaiion  of  his 
son  in  Ohio— An  Appeal  to  a  friend  on  a  sick  bed — Other  Letters— 
Another  Revival  in  coinicclion  with  his  laliors— Sickness  of  his 
^  ohiest  son — Counsel  to  a  correspondent  dissatisfied  with  his  minis- 
ter— Feelings  for  his  Children,  81 

CHAPTER  Vnl. 

His  Afflictions  in  the  Death  of  his  Children,  Alvan,  Harriet,  Lucy  and 

Cbauncey,  107 

CHAPTER  IX. 

His  Labors  in  Revivals  amoncf  his  People — His  Trials  near  the  close 

of  his  IMinistry — His  Views  of  the  labors  of  Evangelists,  ....  134 

CHAPTER  X. 

Letters  to  his  Children,  169 

CHAPTER  XL 

His  Prenchins; — Theological  Instruction — Pastoral  Labors — Connec- 
tion wiili  Williams  College,   320 

CHAPTER  Xir. 

Revivals  under  his  Ministry,  355 

CHAPTER  XHL 

Brief  Notice  of  his  Published  Writings,  372 


CONTENTS.  vii 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
Domestic  Character— Letter  of  a  Son,  381 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Last  Sickness  and  Death,  391 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

Notices  of  Dr.  Hyde,  showing  the  estimation  in  which  he  was  held 
— Letters  of  Condolence  to  the  Widow,  from  Drs.  Humphrey  and 
Porter,  395 


MEMOIR. 


CHAPTER  I. 

HIS    DIARY,   GIVING  AN    ACCOUNT    OF    HIS  PARENTAGE  

HIS  COLLEGIATE  LIFE  HIS  LETTERS  WHILE  IN  COL- 
LEGE T51ACHES    A    SCHOOL     IN     NORTHAMPTON  HIS 

SICKNESS  WHILE  IN  THAT  PLACE. 

It  has  been  sometimes  thought  that  there  is  no  propriety 
in  writing  a  memoir  of  any  man  unless  he  has  been  so 
distinguished  as  to  impress  his  character  upon  the  age  in 
which  he  has  lived — been  of  larger  stature  than  his  con- 
temporaries— and  struck  out  some  new  trains  of  thought. 
They  who  have  been  thus  distinguished,  ought  indeed  to 
have  some  memorial  left  of  their  greatness :  but  are  there 
no  reasons  why  men  of  common  stature,  who  have  with 
usefulness  filled  humble  stations,  who  have  delighted  in 
doing  good,  without  being  renowned,  and  been  patiently 
attentive  to  every-day  duties,  should  also  have  some 
memorial  of  what  the  Lord  was  pleased  to  do  by  their 
instrumentality?  Few  can  follow  the  brilliant  path  of  the 
great,  while  multitudes  may  have  a  sympathy  with  such  as 
moved  in  more  ordinary  spheres,  and  may  find  in  examples 
within  the  reach  of  their  imitation,  motives,  which  from 
that  very  circumstance,  come  home  more  effectually  to 
their  hearts.    It  is  not  even  questionable,  whether  the 


14 


MEMOIR  OF 


cause  of  vital  religion  has  derived  most  benefit  from  the 
recorded  history  of  the  great  men  who  have  laid  their 
splendid  talents  and  acquisitions  at  the  feet  of  Jesus,  or 
from  the  unpretending  memorials  of  eminent  piety  in  the 
common  walks  of  life. 

Such  a  work  as  the  Biography  of  Hallock,  or  Payson, 
or  Emerson,  is  a  blessing  to  the  world,  and  will  be  read 
by  ministers  with  as  much  profit  as  if  the  subjects  of  them 
had  given  shape  to  the  ecclesiastical  history  of  the  times 
in  which  they  lived.  If  that  heavenly  principle  does  pos- 
sess an  intrinsic  value,  superior  to  that  of  the  most  shining 
talent  or  profound  erudition,  why  should  not  the  pure  gold 
be  thought  worthy  of  preservation  and  become  a  part  of 
that  circulating  medium  which  enriches  the  world? 

The  reader  will  find  in  the  following  extracts  from  the 
diary  and  letters,  some  of  the  prominent  incidents  in  the 
life  of  him  who  wrote  them,  and  all  who  were  acquainted 
with  the  writer,  will  see,  in  the  simplicity  and  unfeigned 
humility  breathing  through  the  narrative,  the  likeness  of 
the  man. 

"Records  of  the  providences  and  mercies  of  God  experi- 
enced in  my  life,  with  some  reflections  occasioned  by  them. 

"  I,  Alvan  Hyde,  was  born  at  Norwich,  in  Connecticut, 
February  2,  176S.  My  father,  Joseph  Hyde,  was  a 
farmer  of  a  reputable  character  in  that  town,  a  friend  to 
religious  order  and  religious  institutions,  a  constant 
attendant  on  public  and  family  worship ;  but  not  a  pro- 
fessor of  religion.  From  him  I  received  much  good 
advice  in  my  early  years,  which  by  the  blessing  of  God 
had  great  influence  on  my  conduct.  I  loved  him  with 
tender  affection,  and  ever  felt  myself  bound  to  obey  all 
his  commands.  Of  my  mother  I  have  but  a  faint  recol- 
lection, as  she  died  when  I  was  but  six  years  old. 

"  January  6,  1783,  I  commenced  the  study  of  the 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


15 


enjoyment  of  the  whole  would  not  make  him  happy  with- 
into  college  under  the  instruction  of  the  Rev.  Samuel 
Nott,*  the  worthy  clergyman  on  whose  ministry  my  father 
attended.  About  a  year  after  I  began  to  prepare  for 
college,  and  when  my  heart  was  much  engaged  on  having 
a  public  education,  it  pleased  God  to  deprive  me  of  my 
health.  My  complaints  were  such  that  my  life  was  con- 
sidered in  imminent  danger  for  a  number  of  months.  In 
the  time  of  this  sickness  I  had  a  sight  of  the  vanity  of 
this  world  and  of  my  lost  and  ruined  condition  as  a  sinner. 
I  sought  the  Lord  with  many  cries  and  tears,  but  with  an 
unhumhlcd  heart,  being  ignorant  of  the  nature  of  religion. 
These  serious  impressions  were  continued  and  increased 
after  my  health  was  restored  and  I  had  resumed  my 
studies. 

"September,  1784.  After  being  examined,  I  was 
received  as  a  member  of  Dartmouth  college.  This  was  a 
year  of  great  trials,  occasioned  by  want  of  health  and  the 
expectation  of  being  obliged  to  relinquish  my  beloved 
pursuit ;  but  I  have  ever  since  viewed  it  as  a  memorable 
year  of  my  life,  the  year  of  my  spiritual  birth.  I  then 
cherished  a  hope  that  my  trials  were  sanctified  to  me,  and 
that,  vile  as  I  found  myself  to  be,  I  had  become  a  partaker 
of  the  grace  of  God." 

Brief  extracts  from  his  letters,  written  during  his  resi- 
dence at  college,  will  here  be  inserted,  showing  his  trains 
of  thought  at  that  early  age,  and  illustrating  the  charac- 
teristics of  that  hope  vvliicli  he  then  cherished. 

"Dartmouth  University,  Dec.  17,  1785. 

"Kind  Sir, 

"  While  opportunity  offers,  I  cannot  forbear  writing  to 
you,  whom  gratitude  bids  me  esteem  as  a  friend.  Although 


*  This  venerable  man  is  stiU  livings,  and  active  in  the  ministry. 


16 


MEMOIR  OF 


learned  languages,  and  began  to  prepare  for  admission 
I  have  delayed  writing  so  long,, yet  I  assure  you  it  is 
not  without  reason,  and  I  doubt  not  your  ingenuous 
mind  would  forgive  me  should  you  know  the  reasons — the 
one  is  for  want  of  health,  and  the  other  for  want  of  an 
opportunity. 

"  I  enjoy  at  present  a  good  degree  of  health ;  al- 
though I  have  been  very  sick  and  was  brought  almost 
to  despair  of  life  for  several  days.  It  was  trying  to  me 
to  be  sick  from  home,  but  I  endeavored  to  reconcile 
myself  to  my  lot,  and  be  resigned  to  the  will  of  heaven. 
*  *  *  I  like  the  situation  here  well,  and  manage- 
ment of  affairs  among  the  students.  They  constantly 
attend  upon  prayers  twice  a  day  in  the  hall — a  conference 
every  Saturday  night  for  reading,  praying,  and  singing  of 
psalms.    Religion  is  here  accounted  all-important." 

"  Dartmouth  College,  June  2, 1788. 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  Your  letters  arrived  in  safety,  and  the  perusal  of 
them  gave  me  peculiar  satisfaction — the  last  informed  me 
of  your  better  health.  May  God  perfect  his  begun  good- 
ness to  you,  above  all  things  may  he  grant  you  those 
spiritual  blessings  which  shall  never  fail,  and  may  you  be 
made  a  true  subject  of  divine  grace. 

"  My  journey  was  very  agreeable.  I  was  accompanied 
by  Messrs.  J.  and  S.  I  found  my  circumstances  at  col- 
lege more  favorable  than  I  expected.  I  have  a  good 
room  and  an  agreeable  room-mate.  With  regard  to  re- 
ligion, I  believe  the  vacation  was  not  friendly  to  it,  for 
since  the  return  of  the  students  many  have  shown  their 
attachment  to  this  world  who  before  were  under  very 
serious  impressions.  M.  is  still  without  hope  of  his  good 
estate.  He  is  now  under  great  concern  of  mind,  he 
talks  much  of  the  vanity  of  this  world,  and  says,  that  the 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


17 


out  an  interest  in  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  For  my  part 
I  think  he  is  in  a  mucii  better  way  than  those  who  feel 
secure  in  sin.  There  are  a  number  who  really  make  a 
business  of  religion,  and  by  their  conduct  give  great 
evidence,  of  their  being  true  disciples  of  Christ.  We 
have  conferences  every  Sabbath  after  meeting,  and  every 
Thursday  afternoon,  beside  on  Saturday  we  write  and 
talk  upon  questions  in  divinity.  Dear  sir,  do  you  not 
admire  our  privileges  ?  Do  you  not  desire  to  participate 
with  us?  We  are  truly  distinguished.  Heaven  grant 
that  we  may  make  a  good  improvement  of  our  opportu- 
nities, and  that  they  may  not  serve  to  increase  our  con- 
demnation." 

These  letters  show  what  subjects  and  what  associates 
interested  tliis  youthful  member  of  college  at  the  time  he 
was  laying  the  foundation  of  his  usefulness  in  the  profes- 
sion he  had  chosen.    His  diary  will  afford  further  proof. 

"  July,  1786,  I  made  a  public  profession  of  the  religion 
of  Jesus  Christ,  and  solemnly  dedicated  myself  to  the 
service  of  my  Maker.  Being  in  college,  I  united  with 
the  church  which  was  connected  with  it,  of  which  one  of 
our  professors  was  the  pastor.  During  the  whole  of  my 
collegiate  life,  I  attached  myself,  from  choice,  to  those 
students  who  were  of  a  religious  character;  and  was 
forward-  to  encourage  religious  meetings  in  college. 

"  September  17,  1786,  I  was  honored  with  the 
degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts.    Being  now  disconnected 

CD  o 

from  college,  I  went  into  the  wide  world,  not  knowing 
what  would  befall  me.  With  respect  to  a  profession,  I 
had  never  been  wavering.  My  eye  and  my  heart  were 
fixed  upon  the  ministry,  for  which  I  ardently  hoped,  in 
God's  own  time,  to  be  prepared. 

"November  6,  1788.     Having  been  previously  en- 
2  * 


18 


MEMOIR  OF 


gaged,  I  commenced  instructor  of  the  town  school  ia 
Northampton,  where  I  continued  about  ten  months.  I 
had  not  been  in  my  school  more  than  a  month,  before  I 
was  violently  attacked  with  the  pleurisy,  and  was  brought 
even  to  death's  door.  This  sickness,  though  distressing, 
was,  by  a  kind  and  gracious  Providence,  overruled  fcff 
my  good.  It  occasioned  my  having  many  more  friends  in 
the  town  than  I  should  otherwise  have  had.  Many 
religious  persons  came  to  see  me  in  this  time  of  trouble, 
whose  readiness  to  minister  to  my  body  and  soul,  I  de- 
sire ever  gratefully  to  remember.  I  feel  an  obligation 
particularly  to  record  the  daily  attention  and  unwearied 
kindness  of  Mrs.  Strong,  whose  pious  instruction  and 
counsel  were,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  of  great  service  to 
me.  I  experienced  tokens  of  her  friendship  as  long  as  I 
continued  in  the  place." 

The  following  extract  from  a  letter  gives  a  more  par- 
ticular account  of  the  sickness  to  which  he  alludes  in  his 
diary. 

To  Mr.  G. 

Xorlhampton,  Feb.  26,  1789. 
"  Dear  Friend  and  Benefactor, 

"  Both  of  your  letters  came  safely  to  hand.  Mr.  B., 
the  bearer  of  the  former,  tarried  with  me  over  night. 
Mr.  K.  I  did  not  see.  Nothing  but  reasons  peculiar  could 
have  prevented  my  writing  to  you  at  a  much  earlier  period. 
Be  assured  then  that  my  situation  has  been  such  since 
I  came  here,  that  at  the  relation  of  which,  you  will 
rather  be  excited  to  pity,  than  censure  me.  I  have  much 
to  communicate  to  you,  but  must  be  content  with  an 
abridgment.  Before  I  begin  my  narrative,  let  me  tell 
you  I  have  a  song  of  salvation  put  into  my  mouth. 

"  I  had  scarce  been  in  this  town  a  month,  before  I  was 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


19 


violently  seized  with  the  pleurisy — was  soon  deprived  of  my 
reason,  and  rendered  a  helpless,  miserable  object.  The 
disorder  was  so  very  irregular  in  its  progress  towards  a 
crisis  as  almost  entirely  to  baffle  the  skill  of  my  physician. 
My  life  was  despaired  of  by  all  who  were  spectators  of 
me.  In  the  meanwhile  I  thought  myself  sometimes  out 
in  the  woods,  exposed  to  the  roughness  of  the  weather, 
abandoned  by  my  friends,  being  not  insensible  of  my 
weakness,  and  talked  accordingly.  In  this  situation  I 
more  than  once  yielded  to  death,  and  even  thought  myself 
expiring.  But  how  faint  and  inadequate  were  my  ideas 
of  that  great  change  through  which  I  have  yet  to  pass ! 
In  my  then  weak  and  irregular  state  of  mind,  death  ap- 
peared with  far  less  horror.  When  at  the  poorest,  I  one 
night  jumped  out  of  my  bed  and  inquired  of  my  watchers, 
if  one  Hyde  did  not  live  there,  and  appeared  to  be  anxious 
about  his  health  as  a  near  friend.  The  time  I  recollect, 
for  I  thought  myself,  I  know  not  how,  to  be  friend  G., 
inquiring  after  my  other  self  This  is  truly  paradoxical, 
but  I  have  thought  much  of  it  since  it  was  told  me  that  I 
really  asked  after  myself  as  another  person.  Much  more 
I  have  to  say  relative  to  my  illness,  which  must  be  de- 
ferred for  the  present.  I  only  add  that  I  have  been  led 
to  experience  much  of  the  kindness  of  my  heavenly 
Father's  care.  How  soon  Providence  may  again  frown, 
I  know  not.  Heaven  grant  that  I  may  be  prepared  for 
the  various  scenes  through  which  I  have  yet  to  pass,  and 
that  I  may  not  be  allowed  to  complain  under  those  suf- 
ferings which  are  inseparable  from  the  present  state  of 
man.  My  health  is  now  good  and  situation  agreeable — 
have  been  successful  in  my  school,  &c.  Do  write  again, 
and  it  shall  be  esteemed  a  peculiar  favor  hy  your  much 
obliged  friend." 


CHAPTER  II. 


COMMENCES     HIS    PROFESSIONAL     STUDIES  LICENSE  TO 

PREACH  HIS     FIRST    LABORS    AS    A    PREACHER  HIS 

CALL  TO   SETTLE    IN    WEST    STOCKBRIDGE  PREACHES 

AT   CLINTON,  NEW  YORK  HIS   ORDINATION   IN  LEE. 

"Oct.  9,  1789,  I  placed  myself  under  the  instruction 
of  the  Rev.  Charles  Backus,  of  Somers,  Connecticut,  as 
a  student  in  divinity.  With  him  I  continued  until  the 
first  of  June  1790,  when  1  was  licensed  to  preach  the 
gospel  by  the  association  of  Tolland  county,  in  the  State 
of  Connecticut.  After  preaching  two  years  as  a  candi- 
date in  different  places,  I  was  ordained,  June  G,  1792, 
to  the  pastoral  care  and  charge  of  the  congregation  in 
Lee,  Massachusetts.  While  preaching  on  probation,  at 
Lee,  I  resided  a  part  of  the  time  in  the  family  of  Rev. 
Dr.  West,  of  Stockbridge,  with  whom  I  pursued  my 
theological  studies.  This  situation  was  peculiarly  favor- 
able to  my  improvement,  and  I  trust,  was  truly  beneficial 
to  me  in  obtaining  a  more  correct  and  thorough  knowledge 
of  the  system  of  doctrines  contained  in  the  word  of 
God." 

It  may  be  suitable  to  insert  in  this  place,  some  sen- 
tences from  his  letters  written  between  the  dates  contained 


MEMOIR  OF  ALVAN  HYDE. 


21 


in  the  last  extract  from  his  diary,  affording  a  more  particu- 
lar history  of  his  labors  as  a  preacher  previous  to  his 
ordination. 

"  Bennington,  Sept.  10,  1790. 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"At  length  the  long  wished  for  time  has  arrived,  and 
I  am  once  more  permitted  to  send  my  friend  a  few  lines. 
I  knove  you  will  be  glad  to  hear  the  history  which  I  am 
about  to  give.  I  have  been  conversant  with  ncta  scenes, 
have  had  new  trials,  and  have  shared  in  pleasures  which 
have  arisen  from  netc  sources.  Since  I  left  you  I  have  not 
failed  preaching  a  single  Sabbath.  My  health  has  been 
poorer  this  summer  than  usual.  The  influenza  affected 
me  more  than  I  was  aware.  To  keep  journeying  I  found 
was  the  only  remedy  for  the  disorder  to  which  I  was 
exposed.  At  Sunderland  I  tarried  four  Sabbaths,  then 
visited  my  friends  at  Northampton,  and  preached  for 
Mr.  W.,  since  which  time  I  have  been  constantly  employed 
in  vacancies  in  the  county  of  Berkshire.  The  people  to 
whom  I  have  preached  have  generally  manifested  great 
kindness  and  friendship  towards  me.  I  have  received 
from  them  many  more  favors  than  I  have  deserved.  It 
appears  to  me  that  I  meet  with  a  chosen  few  in  every 
town  in  which  I  form  acquaintance.  This  gives  me 
great  satisfaction,  I  take  courage  from  it.  I  love  to 
preach  where  people  are  attentive.  A  faithful  minister 
cannot  be  dull  and  lifeless  while  his  hearers  discover  a 
fondness  for  truth.  In  many  of  the  towns  in  Berkshire 
county  there  is  an  uncomm_on  attention  to  religion. 
The  churches  of  Christ  in  this  quarter  are  enlarging  ; 
sinners  feel  uneasy,  many  I  hope  are  inquiring  the  way 
to  Zion.  I  am  now  visiting  my  friends  at  Bennington, 
propose  to  preach  here  next  Sabbath ;  shall  then  go  on  to 
Tinmouth,  where  I  have  an  invitation  to  tarry  a  few  weeks. 


22  MEMOIR  OF 

Thus  I  have  given  you  a  short  narrative  of  what  has  taken 
place  since  I  left  you.  Remember  me  to  all  friends,  and 
believe  me,  as  usual,  yours." 

"  JFest  Stockhridge,  June  30,  1791. 

"  Dear  Friend, 

"  I  know  not  how  to  go  from  this  quarter  without 
leaving  a  few  lines  for  you.  I  am  persuaded  it  will  gratify 
you  to  hear  from  your  friend  once  more.  Through  the 
mercy  of  God  I  yet  live  and  enjoy  my  usual  health.  How 
strange  it  is  that  so.  great  a  sinner  as  I  am,  such  an  ob- 
stinate and  heaven-daring  creature,  should  receive  any 
favor  from  the  hand  of  a  holy  God !  Why  does  my  Maker 
suffer  me  to  live,  since  I  am  continually  dishonoring  his 
great  name?  Why  are  my  privileges  continued,  since 
they  have  been  so  repeatedly  forfeited?  It  is  entirely 
owing  to  the  infinite  mercy  of  God  exercised  towards  me 
a  vile  wretch  through  the  mediation  of  his  Son  Jesus 
Christ.  I  believe  it  to  be  a  truth,  that  every  favor  which 
we  receive,  and  that  every  moment  of  time  we  have  to 
enjoy  comforts  out  of  complete  misery  and  utter  despair, 
are  the  purchase  of  the  blood  of  the  Son  of  God.  If 
Christ  had  not  given  himself  a  ransom,  instead  of  being 
what  we  now  are,  prisoners  of  hope,  we  should  have  been 
perfectly  wretched  and  desponding  creatures. 

"  Before  I  finished  the  four  Sabbaths  which  I  had  en- 
gaged to  preach  at  West  Stockhridge,  there  was  a  town 
meeting,  and  the  people  gave  me  a  call  to  settle  among 
them  in  the  work  of  the  ministry.  The  union  was  so 
great,  that  I  thought  it  to  be  duty  to  take  the  matter  into 
consideration.  I  told  the  people  that  I  would  preach  to 
them  four  Sabbaths  more,  after  which  I  would  give  them 
an  answer.  Last  week  I  made  known  to  them  the  result 
of  my  deliberation,  I  have  answered  them  in  the 
negative. 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


23 


"  Being  under  no  engagements  to  any  people,  I  have 
thought  best  to  improve  this  opportunity  to  be  inoculated 
for  the  small  pox.  This  is  the  fourth  day  since  I  received 
the  infection.  What  the  event  will  be  is  known  only  to 
Him  in  whose  hands  my  breath  is,  and  whose  are  all  my 
ways.  Should  I  be  carried  through,  I  think  of  journeying 
to  the  westward  up  Mohawk  river,  but  it  is  not  certain. 
I  have  invitations  to  preach  at  a  number  of  places.  The 
people  in  this  town  have  renewed  their  invitation.  Lee 
and  Benson  have  done  the  same ;  but  you  know  I  have 
objections  to  each  of  these  places.  Lee  is  in  a  divided, 
broken  state,  and  Benson  is  subject  to  the  fever  and 
ague." 

"  Lenox,  August  9,  1791. 

"Dear  Friend, 

"  This  letter  begins  where  the  last  left  off.  I  repaired 
to  the  pesthouse  the  same  Saturday  which  I  proposed. 
But  as  Providence  designed  it,  the  infection  put  into  my 
arm  had  not  taken.  I  was  therefore  inoculated  a  second 
time,  but  it  was  as  ineffectual  as  in  the  first  instance. 
Mr.  R.'s  by  this  time  began  to  break  out,  and  my  anxiety 
was  great  lest  I  should  take  it  the  natural  way.  But  the 
third  time  the  doctor  took  fresh  matter  from  Mr.  R.'s  arm, 
which  operated  very  soon  and  very  favorably.  After  I 
came  out  of  the  hospital,  being  not  very  well,  I  was  de- 
termined to  go  and  see  what  friend  A.  was  about,  though 
at  the  distance  of  thirty  miles  from  Nobletown.  I  found 
him  unable  to  preach,  afflicted  with  fever  and  ague, 
and  something  low  in  his  spirits.  My  visit  was  season- 
able, he  appeared  to  be  glad  to  see  me,  and  shook  off 
some  of  his  melancholy.  I  tarried  a  number  of  days 
with  him,  and  preached  for  him.  He  is  among  a  kind 
people,  though  exceedingly  stupid  and  ignorant  of  the 
doctrines  of  the  gospel.  They  are  much  attached  to  him, 
and  wish  him  to  be  their  minister. 


24 


MEMOIR  OF 


"While  I  was  at  Nobletown,  tlie  church  and  congrega- 
tion at  West  Stockbridge  gave  me  a  second  call  to  settle. 
I  assure  you,  sir,  it  was  hard  to  deny  them,  but  the  diffi- 
culties appeared  so  great,  that  I  have  done  it  a  second 
time.  I  have  now  preached  three  Sabbaths  at  Lenox, 
they  urge  me  to  stay  longer,  but  I  feel  obligated  to  go  to 
Clinton.  This  morning,  by  the  leave  of  Providence,  I 
propose  to  set  off  on  my  journey.  Notwithstanding  I  am 
going  into  the  wilderness,  at  a  great  distance  from  my 
friends  and  from  all  ministers,  yet  I  am  pleased  with  the 
prospect  which  is  before  me — my  heart  is  much  set 
upon  it.  They  need  preaching  in  that  country,  it  is  rare 
that  candidates  launch  out  so  far.  Mr.  AVest  proposes  to 
go  up  in  September  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a  church. 
I  hope  God  may  use  me  as  an  instrument  of  doing  good, 
that  he  will  enable  me  to  be  faithful,  and  that  I  may  not 
bestow  on  them  labor  in  vain.  In  the  hands  of  God  the 
cause  of  Zion  is  infinitely  safe.  He  is  able  to  show  him- 
self superior  to  all  opposition." 

"  Clinton,  State  o/Mw  York,  Sept.  21,  1791. 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  Before  I  left  the  county  of  Berkshire,  I  wrote  you 
one  or  two  letters,  but  could  find  no  direct  opportunity  to 
send  them,  and  I  think  it  is  probable  they  never  reached 
you.  Now  I  am  deprived  of  health,  which  renders  me 
unable  to  w-rite  any  thing  more  than  just  to  let  you  know 
my  situation.  The  intermitting  fever  has  been  preying 
upon  me  almost  four  weeks.  It  has  torn  off  my  flesh, 
taken  away  my  strength,  and  reduced  me  to  a  very  feeble, 
helpless,  and  dependent  state.  However,  in  the  midst 
of  judgments  I  experience  mercies  innumerable.  The 
people  in  this  place  have  been  kind  to  me,  and  have 
spared  no  exertions  to  administer  to  my  comfort.  This 
place  is  not  called  unhealthy  ;  the  people  all  appear  to  be 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


25 


remarkably  robust.  But  I  need  correction  ;  I  deserve  the 
rod ;  and  it  is  no  wonder  that  God  sends  down  his  judg- 
ments upon  me.  Oh,  that  I  may  be  enabled  to  say  from 
the  heart,  'It  is  good  that  I  have  been  afflicted,'  that 
God's  judgments  may  not  be  sent  down  upon  me  in  vain. 

"  This  is  an  excellent  country  of  land  ;  such  a  tract  as 
there  is  here,  is  not  to  be  found  in  New  England,  you 
may  depend.  But  it  is  the  State  of  New  York,  and  the 
regulations  are  such  as  I  do  not  like.  In  every  letter  I 
request  you  to  write  to  your  friend." 

"  Lee,  June  5,  1792. 

"  Honored  Father, 

"  By  Mr.  N.  I  expect  an  opportunity  to  convey  a 
letter  to  you,  though  I  must  say,  I  entertain  some  hope 
that  you  will  accompany  him  to  the  ordination.  I  am 
full  of  company  now,  so  that  I  can  write  but  a  few  lines. 
I  have  enjoyed  my  usual  health  since  I  left  you  ;  have 
been  preaching  at  Salisbury  and  at  this  place.  Provi- 
dence has  so  ordered  things  in  regard  to  me,  that  ii 
appears  plainly  to  be  my  duty  to  settle  in  the  work  of  the 
ministry  in  this  town.  It  is  now  almost  two  years  since 
I  first  preached  here,  and  at  that  time  I  had  not  the  most 
distant  thought  that  it  would  ever  be  best  for  me  to  settle 
here  ;  but  God,  whose  providence  is  universal,  and  who 
governs  the  world  in  infinite  wisdom,  has  ordered  differ- 
ently from  what  I  expected.  The  church  and  people  are 
happily  united  in  the  affair  of  my  settling,  and  have  made 
proposals,  in  regard  to  support,  which  are  comfortable. 
They  give  me  *.£200  as  a  settlement,  and  ,£00  salary  the 
first  year,  to  be  increased  £6  a  year  till  it  arrives  to  =£80 
a  year,  which  last  sum  is  to  be  the  permanent  salary. 
They  also  give  me  my  wood,  and  to  encourage  me  about 

*  This  was  to  be  paid  in  annual  instalments  of  £50  each  year,  for 
four  years. 

3 


26 


MEMOIR  OF  ALVAN  HYDE. 


building,  individuals  have  obligated  themselves  to  pay 
more  than  .£30  in  labor  and  materials. 

"  But  my  thoughts  are  more  employed  about  the  great- 
ness of  the  work  in  which  I  am  about  to  engage,  than  the 
manner  in  which  I  shall  be  supported.  The  work  of  the 
ministry  appears  greater  and  greater  to  me.  I  am  some- 
times almost  ready  to  sink  under  it,  and  to  cry  out  '  Who 
is  sufficient  for  these  things  ? '  But  these  words,  '  My 
grace  is  sufficient  for  thee,'  are  sometimes  comforting. 
The  burden  on  my  mind,  at  the  present  time,  is  very 
great.  To-morrow  is  appointed  for  my  ordination,  and  I 
have  solemn  and  affecting  scenes  before  me.  It  is  a 
great  thing  to  take  the  pastoral  office  over  a  church,  and 
to  be  set  as  a  watchman.  I  need  the  prayers  of  all  God's 
people.  I  hope  you,  sir,  will  remember  me  at  the  throne 
of  grace. 

"  I  want  to  see  you,  and  to  talk  with  you  on  the 
subject  which  was  introduced,  at  the  time  when  we  last 
parted.  I  feel  inexcusable  that  I  have  said  so  little  to 
you  on  that  subject.  The  thought  affects  me — it  greatly 
affects  me,  that  you  should  be  the  parent  of  so  many 
children,  and  never  dedicate  them  to  God.  It  is  your 
indispensable  duty.  The  word  of  God  points  it  out  to  you 
in  a  very  plain  manner.  I  feel  afraid  that  you  will  pass 
through  life  without  ever  complying  with  the  ordinances 
and  institutions  which  Christ  hath  appointed  for  \\\s  fol- 
lowers, and  in  which  all  Christians  take  delight.  I  can 
do  no  less  than  to  call  up  your  attention  to  this  subject. 
I  hope,  sir,  you  will  think  of  it  with  seriousness  and 
candor." 


CHAPTER  III. 


REVIVAL  SOON  AFTER  HIS   ORDINATION  HIS  THEOLOGICAL 

SENTIMENTS  HIS   MARRIAGE  HIS  LETTERS  TILL  1800, 

Such  were  the  feelings  with  which  the  youthful  pastor 
entered  upon  his  work.  The  church,  over  which  the 
Holy  Ghost  had  made  him  overseer,  had  been  some  years 
destitute  of  a  pastor — had  been  greatly  opposed  and  sorely 
tried  ;  and  the  religious  aspect  of  the  community  not  the 
most  encouraging.  But  the  minister,  as  appears  from  an 
examination  of  his  sermons  written  at  that  period,  com- 
menced his  labors  by  a  very  plain  and  full  exhibition  of 
the  discriminating  doctrines  of  the  Bible ;  those,  too, 
which  are  most  offensive  and  trying  to  the  natural  heart. 
In  his  diary  recording  the  mercies  and  providences  of 
God  towards  him,  we  find  the  following  account. 

"  In  a  few  weeks  after  my  ordination,  it  pleased  God  to 
excite  a  very  general  and  solemn  attention  to  the  things 
of  religion,  among  the  people  committed  to  my  charge. 
The  Spirit  of  God  came  down  upon  us,  and,  in  its  effects, 
was  like  a  rushing,  mighty  wind.  There  was  great  con- 
sternation among  the  people.  Some  were  in  distress, 
some  were  filled  with  joy  ;  but  the  finger  and  power  of 
God  were  so  clearly  evinced  in  the  work,  that  none  pre- 


28 


MEMOIR  OF 


sumed  to  make  opposition  to  it.  This  revival  of  religion 
was  of  long  continuance,  and  exhibited  marks  of  great 
purity.  It  occasioned  an  accession  to  the  church  of  more 
than  one  hundred  persons.  I  record  this  as  a  token  of 
the  rich  and  astonishing  mercy  of  God." 

The  following  very  brief  extracts  from  his  letters, 
written  during  the  progress  of  this  revival,  contain  all  the 
additional  particulars  which  have  been  collected  from  his 
own  pen,  except  what  are  contained  in  his  general  view 
of  the  revivals  during  his  ministry,  published  with  Dr. 
Sprague's  Lectures. 

Lee,  Dec.  4,  1792. 

"  Sir, 

"  There  is  a  continuation  of  the  religious  awakening 
among  us,  though  it  has  considerably  abated.  The  num- 
ber of  those  who  entertain  hopes  of  their  being  brought 
out  of  darkness  into  marvellous  light  is  large.  More  than 
seventy  of  this  description  have  come  to  my  knowledge  ; 
with  the  most  of  whom  I  have  had  some  conversation. 
Since  my  ordination,^  fifty-two  persons  in  this  town  have 
made  a  public  profession  of  the  religion  of  Jesus,  and 
joined  the  church  of  whi'ch  I  have  the  charge.  You  will 
easily  see  that  this  must  make  my  labor  great ;  for  our 
mode  of  admission  is  by  examination  before  the  whole 
church.  God  hath  done  great  things  for  us  in  this  place, 
and  the  glory  is  all  his  due.  What  demands  are  made  on 
us  for  grateful  hearts  '. " 

"  Lee,  April  1,  1793. 

"  My  dear  Friend, 

"  Since  my  last  letter  I  have  been  in  good  health. 
My  labor  is  very  hard.  The  serious  attention  is  not  yet 
wholly  abated,  though  it  is  much  less  than  what  it  has 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


29 


been.  The  number  of  the  church  is  continually  increas- 
ing. We  have  now  received  into  our  communion  since 
my  ordination,  about  ninety.  There  are  a  number  more 
who  propose  to  join.  Happy  event  if  all  endure  to  the 
end." 

Dr.  Griffin,  the  president  of  Williams  College,  in  a 
sermon  preached  September  2,  1828,  at  the  dedication  of 
the  New  Chapel,  has  the  following  paragraph,  which  may, 
with  propriety,  have  a  place  in  connection  with  this 
revival  in  Lee, 

"  The  year  1792,  it  has  often  been  said,  ushered  a  new 
era  into  the  world.  In  that  year,  the  first  blood  was 
drawn  in  that  mighty  struggle,  which,  for  more  than 
twenty  years,  convulsed  Europe  and  began  the  predicted 
destruction  of  the  apocalyptic  beast.  In  that  year,  the 
first  of  those  institutions  which  modern  charity  has  plan- 
ned and  which  now  cover  the  whole  face  of  the  protestant 
world,  arose  in  England.  And  in  that  year,  commenced 
that  series  of  revivals  in  America,  which  has  never  been 
interrupted,  night  or  day,  and  which  never  will  be,  until 
the  earth  is  full  of  the  glory  of  the  Lord  as  the  waters 
cover  the  sea.    *    *  * 

"  For  many  years  I  supposed  I  had  been  permitted  to 
see,  in  my  native  neighborhood  and  in  my  father's  house, 
the  first  revival  in  the  series.  But  it  was  with  many 
deeply  affecting  associations,  that  I  learned  the  other  day 
that  the  vice  president*  of  the  college,  now  in  office,  was 
allowed  to  take  part  in  two  revivals  that  same  year ;  one 
of  which  was  certainly  earlier  than  that  which  I  wit- 
nessed." 

From  these  brief  sketches  of  that  period  of  his  labors, 


*  The  subject  of  this  Memoir. 

3* 


30 


MEMOIR  OF 


it  appears  that  while  the  pastor  of  the  church  of  Lee  was 
yet  in  his  youth,  and  without  any  experience  as  a  minis- 
ter, and  early,  if  not  the  earliest  in  that  series  of  the 
wonderful  works  of  God  by  which  New  England  was 
more  richly  blessed  than  it  had  previously  been  for  half  a 
century,  the  Lord  was  pleased  to  bring  upon  him  responsi- 
bilities immensely  great.  With  what  feelings  he  met  these 
responsibilities,  and  engaged  in  these  labors,  his  letters  and 
his  sermons  show.  He  came  to  his  work  trembling  in 
view  of  his  unfitness,  and  putting  all  his  trust  in  almighty 
grace.  Perhaps  it  is  an  act  of  justice  due  to  the  memory 
of  a  man  whose  theological  tenets  have  been  much  spoken 
against,  to  say,  that  the  articles  of  faith  in  the  church  in 
Lee,  were  drawn  up  by  Dr.  Hopkins,  and  that  it  was 
under  the  preaching  of  these  doctrines,  thai  this  church, 
and  several  others  of  the  most  prosperous  churches  in 
Berkshire  county  grew  up ;  and  if  we  are  to  look  for  the 
causes,  which,  for  a  long  period  of  time,  rendered  that 
county  one  of  the  fairest  and  most  fruitful  fields  of  Zion, 
we  are  compelled  to  refer  it  to  a  course  of  reHgious  in- 
struction, which  it  is  very  much  the  fashion  of  the  present 
day  to  represent,  as  calculated  only  to  shut  souls  out  of 
the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

The  pastor  of  the  church  in  Lee  fed  his  flock  with  the 
sincere  milk  of  the  word.  The  entire  depravity  of  the 
natural  heart — the  necessity  of  being  born  again — the 
fullness  and  freeness  of  salvation  through  the  atonement 
made  by  Christ— the  sovereignty  of  God  in  the  application 
of  Christ's  blood  to  those  who  become  interested  in  it — 
and  the  duty  and  obligation  of  sinners  to  comply  imme- 
diately with  the  terms  of  the  gospel,  were  themes  on 
which  he  dwelt  with  great  plainness  and  frequency. 

In  his  preaching,  and  all  his  efforts,  especially  in  his 
own  example,  there  was  nothing  calculated  to  excite  a 
periodical,  fitful  state  of  feeling.    He  remembered  that 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


81 


his  hearers  had  understandings  which  needed  to  be  en- 
lightened, as  well  as  passions  to  be  moved,  and  that  the 
great  truths  of  revelation  were  the  facts  which  God  had 
given  for  both  these  objects. 

He  commenced  at  that  period  a  series  of  labors  which 
he  continued  with  very  little  variation  for  more  than  forty 
years.  Weekly  meetings  were  attended  in  different  sec- 
tions of  the  town,  and  familiar  expositions  of  scripture, 
where  the  auditors  were  encouraged  to  make  inquiries 
and  state  their  views,  were  among  the  labors  most  pleas- 
ant to  himself  and  instructive  to  his  people.  All  parts  of 
his  parish  were  thus  visited  by  the  pastor  every  few 
weeks,  during  the  whole  of  the  time  in  which  he  was 
connected  with  it.  He  watched  for  souls.  In  the  early 
part  of  his  ministry,  the  irregularities  of  the  new-lights, 
as  they  were  tiien  called,  had  e.xcited  such  a  reaction 
from  the  more  stable  and  enlightened  part  of  the  commu- 
nity, that  there  were  suspicions  respecting  the  measures 
he  adopted.  Attempts  were  made  to  dissuade  him  from 
being  righteous  over  much  ;  and  he  was  told  that  so 
many  conferences  would  diminish  the  interest  in  the 
Sabbath. 

But  by  the  blessing  of  God  upon  his  persevering  labors, 
all  objections  soon  subsided  ;  he  acquired  tiie  confidence 
of  those  for  wliose  salvation  he  was  striving,  and  secured 
it,  not  by  any  brilliant  efforts,  or  by  substituting  paroxysms 
of  deep  feeling,  for  religion,  but  by  the  discharge  of 
every-day  duties,  in  a  still  and  unobtrusive  manner. 
There  was  no  attempt  made  to  be  thought  great  in  the 
sight  of  men  ;  but  a  course  was  pursued  which  impressed 
all  acquainted,  that  the  minister  walked  humbly  with  God, 
and  expected  to  give  an  account  for  his  ministry  before 
his  judgment  seat. 


"  April  25,  1793.   I  was  married  to  Miss  Lucy  Fessen- 


32 


MEMOIR  OF 


den,  daughter  of  Mr.  Benjamin  Fessenden,  of  Sandwich, 
and  granddaughter  of  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Fessenden, 
who  was  pastor  of  the  church  in  that  place.  She  was 
born  Nov.  IG,  1770. 

"  Dec.  17,  1793.  Having  built  me  an  house,  I  moved 
with  my  wife  into  it,  and  began  to  live  in  family  state, 
resolving  to  acknowledge  God  in  our  house,  and  to  be 
constant  in  the  morning  and  evening  sacrifice." 

In  connection  with  this  short  extract  from  his  diary,  a 
few  words  may  be  added  respecting  his  seasons  of  family 
devotion.  The  resolution  thus  made  on  the  day  he  en- 
tered his  new  dwelling,  "  to  acknowledge  God  in  his 
house,"  was  not  a  mere  theory,  but  a  part  of  the  delight- 
ful business  of  his  subsequent  life.  There  was  a  rare 
combination  of  excellences  in  his  deportment  at  the 
family  altar.  No  one  could  have  been  an  inmate  in  the 
circle  assembled  there,  without  having  this  impression 
made,  that  the  head  of  the  household  was  peculiarly 
happy  himself  in  leading  the  minds  of  those  around  him 
to  the  mercy  seat,  and  fixing  their  attention  upon  the 
invisible  realities  presented  to  the  eye  of  faith.  It  was 
his  family  altar  which  eminently  constituted  his  home. 
There  were  no  appearances  of  raptures  in  these  exercises, 
nothing  which  could  be  marked  as  distinguished  for 
originality  ;  but  there  was  a  sweet,  childlike,  reverential 
fellowship  with  heaven,  which  seemed  to  open  that  world 
and  bring  it  very  near.  The  devotional  exercises  were 
neither  hurried  through  as  a  form,  or  prolonged  so  as  to 
become  tiresome  to  those  who  joined  in  them.  By  brief 
remarks  upon  the  portions  of  scripture,  forming  the  morn- 
ing and  evening  lessons,  by  questions  proposed  to  the 
children  and  to  others  occasionally  present,  and  by  an 
indescribable  charm  in  the  manner,  while  making  distinct 
though  delicate  allusions  to  the  condition  of  every  indi- 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


33 


vidual,  all  took  a  part  in  the  exercises,  and  none  could 
have  the  impression  that  they  were  insulated,  or  could 
remain  as  mere  spectators.  This  was  a  peculiarity  in  the 
prayers  and  praises  in  the  family,  commenced  as  the 
above  extract  intimates.  God  was  enthroned  in  that 
family,  and  the  homage  of  the  heart  was  rendered  to 
him. 

"June  18,  1794.  We  received  a  great  blessing  from 
the  hand  of  God,  in  the  birth  of  a  son. 

"  July  "27.  We  dedicated  our  son  to  God  in  baptism, 
and  called  his  name  Alvan." 

In  expressions  conveying  sentiments  resembling  the 
above,  the  birth,  and  dedication  to  God,  of  the  eleven 
children  which  the  Lord  gave  these  parents,  are  noticed 
in  his  diary.  It  was  considered  a  great  event  to  receive 
such  a  treasure  from  the  hand  of  the  Lord  ;  and  the 
earnest  and  ceaseless  prayer  offered  to  God  in  behalf  of 
the  immortal  being  comi^iitted  to  their  care,  formed  a 
striking  feature  of  family  worship  in  that  household. 

The  following  are  extracts  from  a  correspondence  with 
a  brother  in  the  ministry,  whose  theological  speculations, 
on  several  points,  were  not,  at  that  time,  in  exact  accord- 
ance with  his  own.* 

«  Lee,  April  30,  1794. 

"  Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 

"  Your  obliging  letter  by  Mr.  S.,  I  received  and  read 
with  peculiar  pleasure.  The  candor  with  which  it  ap- 
pears you  perused  Mr.  B.'s  manuscript  dissertation,  and 
your  approbation  of  the  leading  sentiments  it  contains, 

*  It  is  believed  tliat  a  very  cordial  friendship  subsisted  between 
the  correspondents,  from  their  first  acquaintance,  till  the  last  day  of 
Dr.  Hyde's  continuance  in  the  church  militant. 


34 


MEMOIR  OF 


more  than  rewarded  me  for  the  trouble  of  transcribing  it. 
I  am  now  confirmed  in  what  I  fondly  hoped  was  true, 
from  conversation  I  had  with  you  at  Sandwich,  viz.  that 
you  are  a  believer  in  the  doctrine  of  divine  agency,  in  the 
Hoplcintunian  sense,  of  it.  The  observation  you  made, 
that  '  there  is  a  peculiar  pleasure  in  finding  the  ideas  of 
others  meet  our  own,'  from  my  own  experience  I  know 
to  be  just. 

"  In  page  I'^th  of  the  dissertation,  the  author  says, 
'  Hence  we  see  God's  foreknowledge  is  founded  upon  his 
decrees.'  The  propriety  of  the  sentiment  conveyed  in 
these  words,  you  call  in  question.  I  am  inclined  to  think 
you  did  not  notice  a  distinction  which  was  here  in  the 
author's  mind,  and  which  he  meant  should  be  obvious  to 
the  reader.  The  term,  foreknowledge,  strictly  speaking, 
cannot  be  applied  to  a  being  who  has  no  succession  of 
ideas,  and  with  whom  there  is  no  such  tiling  as  jjast  or 
future  time,  as  is  clearly  represented  to  be  the  case  with 
God,  in  the  dissertation.  When  Mr.  B.  spoke  of  God's 
foreknowledge,  he  did  not  mean  to  be  understood  in  a 
sense,  which,  in  any  measure,  admits  of  your  objection. 
He  evidently  introduced  this,  and  some  other  terms,  in 
condescension  to  the  weakness  of  man's  capacity.  You 
are,  no  doubt,  sensible  that  there  are  some,  who  believe 
in  the  foreknowledge  of  God,  or  that  he  hath  a  perfect 
knowledge  of  every  thing  which  is  future,  and  yet  deny 
his  decrees.  To  combat  the  notion  of  such,  was  probably 
his  aim  in  making  the  observation  on  which  you  have 
remarked.  The  foreknowledge  of  God,  as  mankind  use 
the  term,  is  evidently  founded  on  his  decrees ;  for  how 
could  he  possibly  know  beforehand  that  an  event  would 
take  place,  which  was  undetermined,  or  which  was 
uncertain  ?  Shall  we  assert,  that  he  foreknows  what 
will  take  place  by  chance  ?  To  such  a  sentiment,  I  am 
confident,  you  will  not  accede  ;  for  it  effectually  takes 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


35 


the  government  out  of  his  hands.  When  the  author 
used  this  term,  which  he  did  only  in  condescension 
to  the  common  notion  and  language  of  mankind,  he 
meant  to  keep  up  a  distinction  hetween  that  and  simple 
perception.  You  have  compared  his  words  from  page 
12th,  with  others  from  page  11th,  with  a  view  to  make 
him  appear  inconsistent.  In  page  11th  he  says,  '  A  de- 
termination of  mind  implies  something,  respecting  which 
the  mind  is  determined  ;  or  upon  which  the  determina- 
tion is  fixed,'  &c.  Here  he  was  speaking  of  the  simple 
perception  of  an  object,  in  distinction  from  foreknowledge 
as  the  term  is  used,  which  distinction  he  meant  should  be 
obvious  to  the  reader.  You  have  also  compared  the  same 
words  with  what  he  says  in  page  2d,  '  Rational  exercises 
must  exist,  previous  (in  the  order  of  nature  if  not  of  time) 
to  voluntary  exercise ;  and  we  cannot  love  or  hate  an 
object  before  it  exists  or  is  perceived.'  I  cannot  see  the 
least  propriety  in  your  adverting  to  this  passage,  and 
querying  whether  it  is  not  inconsistent  with  what  you 
before  remarked  upon  ;  for  here  he  was  not  speaking  of 
divine  agency,  but  of  that  moral  agency  of  which  man- 
kind arc  possessed.  Thus  I  have  defended  the  author  as 
well  as  I  have  been  capable. 

"  I  am  sorry  it  has  not  been  in  my  power  to  procure 
you  the  loan  of  Mr.  Jones's  treatise  on  the  doctrine 
of  the  Trinity.  I  know  of  but  one  in  the  county,  and 
that  belongs  to  a  library-company  in  this  town,  the  rules 
of  which  are  such  as  renders  the  lending  of  books,  to 
non-proprietors,  impracticable.  It  is  very  probable  that 
this  treatise  may  be  obtained  at  Thomas  &.  Andrews's 
bookstore,  in  Boston,  for  it  is  a  modern  production,  and 
but  seven  years  since  it  was  printed  in  London.  I  feel, 
perhaps,  as  much  satisfied  with  the  arguments  of  this 
author  in  support  of  the  doctrine  of  the  Trinity,  as  you 
can  with,  those  of  ,  in  support  of  his  favorite  doctrine. 


36 


MEMOIR  OF 


But,  in  regard  to  this  point,  I  may  be  wholly  in  the  dark, 
and  so  full  of  prejudice  as  to  be  unwilling  to  come  to  the 
light.  However,  I  really  wish  to  make  it  a  subject  of 
more  strict  inquiry  and  examination,  than  I  have  hereto- 
fore done,  and  shall  be  thankful  for  all  the  aid  and 
assistance  which  you  may  see  fit  to  afford  me.  *  *  * 
That  the  present  is  an  age  in  which  no  subject  is  thought 
too  sacred  for  free  and  candid  discussion,  is  truly  matter 
of  rejoicing  to  me,  no  less  than  it  is  to  you.  I  consider 
it  as  one  of  the  greatest  blessings  of  the  present  happy 
age.    *    *  * 

"  You  requested  me  to  remark  on  the  CcdecJiisin  you 
have  lately  published. — To  enable  myself  to  do  it,  I  have 
perused  it  a  second  and  a  third  time,  and  still  have  not 
many  remarks  to  make  upon  it,  at  least  by  way  of  ob- 
jection. I  think  it  ingeniously  executed,  and  to  contain 
the  first  principles  of  incty  and  viorality,  thrown  into  a 
very  natural  and  happy  arrangement,  and  brought  down 
to  a  level  with  the  capacities  of  those  for  whose  benefit  it 
was  more  immediately  designed.  The  ideas  which  you 
have  exhibited  in  it,  of  God's  character  and  government, 
of  the  character  and  work  of  the  Mediator,  and  of  the 
duties  we  owe  to  God  and  each  other,  appear  to  be  just 
and  scriptural.  Had  you  made  a  small  addition  to  the 
number  of  pages,  and  in  regard  to  some  doctrines  been 
more  particular,  it  appears  to  me  you  would  have  in- 
creased the  real  value  of  the  performance. — You  may 
wish  to  know  what  those  doctrines  are,  which  as  I  suppose, 
are  not  clearly  enough  exhibited  in  your  Catechism.  I 
will  mention  two,  viz.  the  character  and  state  of  man  hy 
nature,  and  the  terms  of  acceptance  loith  God.  A  knowl- 
edge of  these  is  important,  and  peculiarly  calculated  to 
prevent  self-deception  and  hypocrisy.  It  is  true  you  have 
opened  a  door  to  exhibit  light  on  these  points  in  some  of 
the  questions  to  which  no  answers  are  annexed,  in  the 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


37 


fourth  part,  particularly  the  14th  and  16th,  and  perhaps 
that  was  the  best  way  you  could  have  done.  I  should 
have  been  highly  gratified,  in  reading  your  answers  to  the 
last  proposed  questions,  as  I  view  some  of  them  very 
important,  but,  if  you  are  led  to  do  it,  as  you  catechise,  in 
a  way  more  profitable  to  those  for  whose  benefit  the  book 
was  immediately  designed,  the  end  is  answered,  and  all 
room  for  objections  is  excluded.  *  *  *  In  sum  ;  the 
more  I  have  attended  to  this  little  publication  of  yours, 
the  more  merit  I  find  in  it.  I  heartily  wish  it  may  prove 
a  blessing  to  the  lambs  of  your  flock,  and  that  it  may  be 
a  mean,  in  the  hands  of  God,  of  promoting  the  knowledge 
of  the  truth,  wherever  it  may  be  sent." 

"  Lee,  Dec.  9,  1794, 

"  Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 

"  Much  more  time  has  elapsed  since  your  letter,  by 
Mr.  Dillingham,  came  to  hand,  than  I  intended  should, 
before  it  was  answered.  My  apology  for  this  delay  is 
multiplicity  of  business,  and  the  many  unavoidable  avoca- 
tions to  which  I  have  been  subjected. 

"  You  request  me  to  confine  my  observations  in  this 
letter,  principally,  either  to  the  question  concerning  divine 
agency,  proposed  in  the  first  part  of  your  letter,  or  to  the 
subject  which  occupied  the  last  pages  of  it.  On  both  of 
these  subjects,  I  have  some  thoughts,  which  I  am  not 
backward  to  communicate,  though  it  is  possible  they  may 
be  altogether  erroneous.    *    *  * 

"  You  were  so  good,  in  your  last  letter,  as  to  draw, 
under  four  particulars,  what  you  consider  the  great  out- 
lines of  our  Lord's  character,  as  mediator.  To  the  ideas 
suggested  under  the  three  last  particulars,  I  fully  accede; 
but  from  those  expressed  under  the  first,  I  frankly  own, 
that  I  dissent.  *  *  * 
4 


38 


MEMOIR  OF 


"  The  question  concerning  divine  agency,  remarks  on 
which  I  intended  should  liave  occupied  a  part  of  this 
letter,  must,  for  want  of  room,  be  postponed. 

"Our  difference  of  opinion  on  some  doctrinal  points  is 
so  far  from  giving  birth  to  the  least  desire  in  me  to  drop 
the  correspondence,  that  it  is  a  real  motive,  in  my  mind, 
for  its  continuance.  From  a  man  of  reading  and  thought, 
who  differs  from  me,  I  shall  be  more  likely  to  receive 
benefit,  than  from  one  who  walks  exactly  in  my  path. 
Had  I  not  undoubted  evidence  of  your  candor,  these  last 
observations  would  not  have  dropped  from  my  pen. 

"Imploring  the  divine  blessing  to  rest  upon  yourself, 
your  lady,  and  the  people  of  your  charge,  I  subscribe 
myself, 

"  Your  fellow-laborer  in  the  vineyard  of  Christ." 

The  following  extracts  from  letters  to  his  parents  and 
other  friends,  may  illustrate  his  affection  and  fidelity  to- 
wards those  with  whom  he  corresponded. 

«  Lee,  Jan.  25,  1796. 

"  Honored  Father, 

"We  have  hitherto  had  great  peace  in  the  church, 
but  a  difficulty  has  now  arisen  with  a  brotlier  which  wears 
a  threatening  aspect.  How  it  will  terminate,  must  be  left 
to  the  disposal  of  Him  \\\\o  is  the  great  Head  of  the 
church,  and  who  has  the  disposal  of  all  events.  The 
church  in  this  world  is  in  a  militant  state,  and  every  friend 
of  Christ's  cause  should  be  willing  to  labor  for  its  support. 
I  have  had  many  trying  feelings  in  reflecting  on  your 
situation,  as  not  professing  religion  and  walking  in  the 
ordinances  of  the  gospel.  Nothing  appears  more  evident 
to  me  than  that  we  all  ought  to  be  religious,  and  to  profess 
to  be  religious,  or  in  other  words,  that  we  should  have  the 


ALVAN  HYDE.  39 

love  of  the  truth  in  our  hearts,  and  let  our  light  shine 
before  others.    *    *  * 

"  From  your  much  obliged  son." 

"  Jan.  7,  1798. 

"  Dear  and  honored  Father, 

"  I  have  heard  that  you  have  had  a  second  and  violent 
attack  of  the  pleurisy  since  I  saw  you.  From  Mr.  P.'s 
information,  who  tells  me  he  saw  you,  I  am  led  to  hope 
you  may  now  be  in  good  health  again  ;  but  am  not  without 
great  anxiety.  Oh,  my  father,  how  true  it  is  that  we  must 
all  die,  and  how  important  that  we  be  prepared !  An 
interest  in  the  Saviour  is  worth  ten  thousand  worlds.  He 
can  bestow  upon  us  that  peace  of  soul  which  the  world 
can  neither  give  nor  take  away.  I  hope  and  trust  your 
thoughts  are  much  upon  these  things.    *    *  * 

"  From  your  son." 


''May  8, 1799. 

"  Honored  Father, 

*  *  *  "  Religion  is  in  a  low  state.  The  great 
things  of  eternity  do  not  lie  with  that  concern  upon  our 
minds,  which  answers,  in  any  measure,  to  their  vast  im- 
portance. I  hope,  sir,  the  things  of  religion  have  the 
most  important  place  in  the  meditations  of  your  heart.  It 
is  a  great  thing  to  live  upon  the  mercies  of  God.  It  is  a 
great  thing  to  be  prepared  to  exchange  this  world  for  an 
eternal  state.  We  must  all  appear  before  the  judgment 
seat  of  Christ.  O  let  us  choose  him  for  our  portion,  while 
the  precious  opportunity  lasts.  Wishing  you  the  blessing 
of  God,  whose  favor  is  life  and  whose  loving  kindness  is 
better  than  life,  I  subscribe  myself  as  ever, 

"  Your  affectionate  son," 


40 


MEMOIR  OF 


"  .4pn7  4,  1800. 

"Honored  Fatlier, 

"My  family,  through  the  great  mercy  of  God  to  a 
sinner,  has  been  favored  with  unusual  health  from  the 
first  beginning  of  it.  I  have  often  wondered  it  should  be 
so;  and  I  have  reason  to  be  very  humble,  that  my  im- 
provement of  the  mercy  has  been  no  better.  I  have  now 
the  same  number  of  children  which  my  mother  left  when 
she  died.  I  find  there  is  great  need  of  wisdom,  prudence, 
and  patience,  to  bring  up  children.  When  I  look  upon 
my  children,  I  am  led  often  to  think  of  the  trials  of  mind, 
which  I  may  have  occasioned  you  in  my  younger  years. 

"  This  people  are  about  to  build  a  new  meeting-house, 
and  have  already  drawn  the  timber.  I  fear  it  may  be  a 
mean  of  breaking  up  the  harmony  of  the  town.  We 
have  been  unusually  happy  in  this  town  for  a  number  of 
years  ;  what  is  to  be  in  future  we  know  not." 

In  a  letter  to  another  correspondent,  an  event  not  un- 
common in  a  pastor's  experience  is  thus  described  : 

"  June  15,  1800. 

"Dear  Sir, 

"  Through  the  great  mercy  of  God  to  a  sinner,  I 
found  on  my  return  from  F.  my  own  family  in  usual 
health;  but  all  my  neighbors,  and  I  may  say  almost  all 
the  town,  were  pained  on  account  of  the  distress  and 
anguish  of  poor  E.  W.  In  a  few  moments  after  I  entered 
my  house,  I  went  to  see  her.  The  house  was  thronged  with 
people  who  had  come  to  see  her  die.  She  knew  me,  but 
Dr.  L.,  her  attending  phpician,  was  very  unwilling  that 
she  should  attempt  to  speak,  though  she  uttered  a  few 
words.  The  next  morning  I  conversed  with  her  fifteen  or 
twenty  minutes,  and  her  language  was  most  moving.  She 
lamented  her  stupid,  vain,  and  irreligious  life — she  was 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


41 


afraid  to  die,  and  had  no  heart  to  ask  for  raercy.  She 
lived  till  about  4  o'clock,  and  expired.  The  scene  was 
enough  to  melt  the  heart  of  a  stone.  In  this  event  let  us 
hear  the  voice  of  God's  providence,  and  be  excited  to 
prepare  to  meet  God." 


CHAPTER  IV. 


SECOND  REVIVAL  HIS   LETTERS  DEATH   OF  HIS  FATHER 

 LETTER    OF    CONDOLENCE    TO   HIS    MOTHER  —  OTHER 

LETTERS. 

At  the  close  of  the  year  1800,  the  following  sentences 
were  inserted  by  him  in  his  diary. 

"  This  year,  I  enjoyed  with  my  people  another  season 
of  refreshing  from  the  Lord.  It  was  indeed  a  precious 
season.  It  pleased  the  Lord  to  make  this  display  of 
sovereign  grace  soon  after  the  setting  up  of  a  weekly  con- 
ference with  particular  reference  to  the  young  people,  and 
it  was  noticed  that  the  subjects  of  the  work  were  confined 
almost  wholly  to  tho.se  who  attended  this  conference. 
God  appeared  to  indicate  in  his  providence  that  he  owned 
and  blessed  this  new  effort  for  the  salvation  of  souls.  The 
great  body  of  the  people  were  not  affected  and  solemnized 
as  they  were  in  the  first  awakening  ;  but  the  convictions 
of  the  awakened  were  clear,  rational,  and  pungent ;  and 
those  who  received  comfort,  appeared  understandingly  to 
embrace  the  soul-humbling  doctrines  of  the  cross,  and 
exhibited  satisfactory  evidence  of  having  passed  from 
death  unto  life.  This  little  revival  occasioned  an  acces- 
sion to  the  church,  in  the  space  of  one  year,  of  twenty- 


MEMOIR  OF  ALVAN  HYDE.  43 

one  persons,  the  most  of  whom  were  between  tlie  ages  of 
sixteen  and  twenty-four." 

"  Jpril  10,  1802. 

"  Honored  Parents, 

"  The  last  information  I  had  from  you  was  by  a  letter 
from  my  friend  J.  G.,  dated  in  February.  He  gave  me  an 
affecting  account  of  the  death  of  J.  B.  O,  what  an  un- 
certain world  is  this ! — how  important  to  be  prepared  for 
our  great  and  last  change !  I  find  that  if  life  be  spared 
a  few  years  longer,  I  shall  be  an  old  man — I  shall  be 
where  you  are  now.  I  hope  the  great  change  which 
awaits  you  and  all  of  us,  lies  with  weight  upon  your 
minds.  He  that  believeth,  shall  be  saved.  He  that  be- 
lieveth  not,  is  condemned  already. 

"  Wishing  you  the  comforts  of  religion  which  consist 
in  the  holy  enjoyment  of  God,  I  subscribe  myself  your 
affectionate  son." 

".4pn7  26,  1802. 

"  Honored  Sir, 

*'  I  have  heard  indirectly  by  way  of  Mr.  W.,  that  you 
have  had  another  turn  of  the  pleurisy,  but  have  not  had 
particulars.  This  intelligence  has  made  mo  often  think 
of  you,  and  has  increased  my  desire  of  seeing  you.  The 
measles  are  again  spreading  in  these  parts,  and  as  I  never 
had  the  disorder,  it  is  probable  I  may  now  have  to  encoun- 
ter it.  We  live  in  a  dying  world  and  have  no  abiding 
place  on  the  earth.  We  are  also  sinful  and  sinning 
creatures,  and  must  perish  unless  God  is  pleased  to  forgive 
us.  We  have  no  claims  on  him  for  the  least  favor. 
What  a  display  of  mercy  will  God  make,  if  any  of  us  are 
subjects  of  the  gospel  salvation !  " 


44 


MEMOIR  OF 


The  foregoing  extract  was  the  last  communication  to 
his  father. 

In  his  diary  is  the  following  record. 

"  May  28,  1802,  I  was  taken  sick  with  the  measles  and 
was  kept  from  preaching  three  Sabbaths.  Previously  to  my 
having  this  disorder,  I  had  never  been  prevented  from 
discharging  the  public  services  of  the  sanctuary,  nor  from 
preaching  any  lecture  which  I  had  appointed,  from  the 
time  of  my  ordination,  which  was  a  period  of  ten  years. 
I  note  this  as  a  monument  of  the  great  goodness  of  God 
to  the  very  chief  of  sinners. 

"August  11,  1802,  my  honored  father  departed  this 
life  at  Franklin,  formerly  a  part  of  Norwich,  after  an 
illness  of  a  little  more  than  two  days.  He  attended  public 
worship  on  the  Sabbath,  in  his  usual  health,  and  died  the 
Wednesday  following,  having  just  completed  sixty-six 
years.  I  am  now  deprived  of  both  my  earthly  parents. 
May  this  providence  be  sanctified  to  me  and  my  family ; 
and  may  the  Lord,  of  his  infinite  mercy  and  through  the 
teachings  of  his  Holy  Spirit,  give  me  to  feel  more  than 
ever,  the  importance  of  putting  my  whole  trust  in  him." 

To  my  bereaved  mother  and  to  all  my  brothers  and  sisters. 

"  Lee,  August  23,  1802. 

"  Afflicted  Friends, 

"  Mr.  G.'s  and  sister  C.'s  letter,  bringing  the  heavy 
tidings  of  the  death  of  my  honored  father,  reached  me  on 
Wednesday  last,  being  just  a  week  after  the  melancholy 
event  took  place.  I  never  experienced  such  a  shock  in 
my  life.  The  intelligence  was  entirely  unexpected,  and 
I  felt  the  wound  in  my  very  heart.  Having  lost  my 
mother  when  I  was  a  child,  my  father  has  always  ap- 
peared exceedingly  near  to  me ;  but  now  an  holy  God 
has  taken  him  from  us  all.    You,  my  friends,  were  spec- 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


45 


tators  of  liis  agonies  in  death  ;  you  all,  I  suppose,  had 
opportunity  to  see  him  close  his  eyes  upon  this  world,  and 
to  follow  his  corpse  to  the  grave.  These  must  have  been 
very  affecting  scenes  indeed.  I  pray  that  God  may 
sanctify  this  solemn  providence  fo  you  all — and  that  he 
would  he  the  widow's  God  and  tlie  father  of  the  father- 
less. May  he  send  his  Holy  Spirit  to  hind  up  your 
broken  hearts,  and  may  some  important  good  to  your 
souls  come  out  of  this  affliction.  The  shortness  of  his 
illness  and  the  very  sudden  manner  of  his  death,  teach  us 
the  importance  of  being  prepared  for  our  own  departure 
from  this  world.  O  !  let  us  be  careful  not  to  boast 
ourselves  of  to-morrow,  for  we  know  not  what  a  day  may 
bring  forth.  It  is  a  great  thing  to  die.  Death  will  intro- 
duce us  to  that  world  where  there  will  never  be  any 
alteration  of  character  or  state.  In  the  holy  scriptures, 
God  has  plainly  told  us  that  a  life  of  sin,  is  connected 
with  an  everlasting  separation  from  him  and  from  all  holy 
beings.  Let  us  therefore  break  oif  from  sin,  turn  unto 
him  by  repentance,  and  be  ready  to  receive  the  summons 
which  the  king  of  terrors  will  bring  us. 

"  Our  father  and  friend  who  has  now  gone  to  his  eternal 
home,  has  left  us  an  example,  in  many  respects,  worthy  of 
our  imitation.  He  was  steady  and  punctual  in  the  duty 
of  family  religion,  a  friend  to  the  public  worship  of  God, 
a  strict  observer  of  the  holy  Sabbath,  and  unusually  kind 
to  the  sick  and  distressed.  Wherein  he  appeared  to  fol- 
low Christ,  we  ought  to  follow  him. 

"  The  first  children  of  the  family  were  left  motherless 
in  an  age  when  they  greatly  needed  a  mother  ;  the  second 
children  are  now  left  fatherless,  when  they  greatly  need  a 
father.  The  children  at  home  are  all  minors  and  some 
of  them  small.  I  feel  much  concerned  for  them  ;  I  hope 
they  will  be  obedient  to  tlieir  mother,  and  that  God  will 
provide  for  them.    I  plead  that  there  may  not  be  any 


46 


MEMOIR  OF 


difficulty  ill  regard  to  the  settlement  of  the  estate  of  our 
departed  friend.  He  was  a  lover  of  peace  in  his  day,  and 
it  would  be  grievous  to  have  his  descendants  fall  into 
contention.    *    *  * 

"I  subscribe  myself  your  son  and  brother." 

"  Oct.  10,  1802. 

"  Honored  Mother, 

*  *  *  "Through  divine  mercy  I  found  on  my 
return,  that  the  Lord  had  protected  my  family.  My  wife 
has  been  permitted  to  attend  public  worship,  and  we  gave 
up  our  infant  son  in  baptism  by  the  name  of  Joseph  Hyde, 
to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  my  dear  father  who  is  now 
in  the  grave. 

"I  have  thought  much  of  your  situation,  since  my  re- 
turn, and  am  sensible  it  must  be  lonely,  and  in  many 
respects  trying.  I  hope  the  Lord  will  be  with  you,  and 
that  you  will  find  by  your  experience,  that  he  is  indeed 
the  widow's  God  and  husband,  and  the  father  of  the 
fatherless.  Give  my  love  to  the  children,  and  tell  them  it 
is  my  earnest  wish  and  counsel,  that  they  be  steady  at 
home,  attentive  to  business,  kind  to  each  other,  obedient 
to  their  only  parent,  that  they  read  in  the  holy  scriptures 
every  day,  and  attend  constantly  upon  public  worship.  I 
hope  they  will  never  forget  their  father  who  is  now  no 
more.  *  *  *  Wishing  you  the  best  of  heaven's  bles- 
sings, I  subscribe  myself 

"  Your  obedient  son." 

The  extracts  which  have  been  made  from  his  diary  and 
letters,  exhibit  the  writer  in  his  daily  routine  of  duties, 
attentive  to  his  work  as  a  minister,  and  blessed  during  the 
ten  years  of  his  labors  with  two  seasons  of  refreshing  from 
the  presence  of  the  Lord.     In  a  letter  bearing  date 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


47 


earlier  than  the  last  extract  he  thus  writes  to  one  of  his 
intimate  friends  : 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  By  Mr.  W.  I  have  an  opportunity  of  forwarding  a 
letter  directly  to  you,  and  cannot  neglect  it  without  doing 
violence  to  my  own  feelings.  I  shall  always  feel  my- 
self obligated  for  that  friendship  which  you  have  been 
pleased  to  manifest  for  me  and  my  family.  The  thought, 
however,  frequently  passes  in  my  mind,  that  my  friends 
have  mistaken  my  real  character,  and  that  I  may  yet  live 
to  make  them  ashamed  of  the  confidence  they  have  re- 
posed in  me.  My  heart  appears  to  myself,  at  least  at 
times,  to  be  a  sink  of  iniquity  ;  and  could  you,  or  any  of 
my  friends,  see  it  as  it  is,  probably  I  should  lose  your 
charity.  But  I  did  not  take  up  my  pen  to  write  about 
myself    *    *  * 

"  I  have  nothing  specially  new  to  add  on  the  old  subject. 
I  wish  I  could  have  as  frequent  conferences  with  you  on 
that  point  as  I  used  to  have.  The  importance  of  it  does 
not  diminish,  but  increases,  in  my  mind.  Should  I  obtain 
light,  either  from  my  own  researches  or  from  others,  I  will 
endeavor,  agreeably  to  your  desire,  to  communicate  it  to 
.  you.  A  free  correspondence  with  you,  will  be  agreeable 
to  your  friend  and  humble  servant." 

Under  date  of  Feb.  2,  1S03,  these  sentences  are  found 
in  his  diary. 

"  I  am  this  day  thirty-five  years  of  age.  O,  how  insen- 
sibly I  have  been  carried  down  the  current  of  time !  I 
have  now  seen  the  one  half  of  threescore  years  and  ten, 
which  seems  to  be  marked  in  scripture  as  the  common 
boundary  of  human  life.  On  a  review  of  my  conduct  the 
year  past,  T  find  many  aggravated  sins  to  confess.    I  am, 


48 


MEMOIR  OF 


in  some  measure,  sensible  of  having  greatly  dishonored 
God  in  my  private  walk;  I  have  been  unfaithful,  and  dis- 
honored him  as  the  head  of  my  family,  and  also  as  a 
minister  of  Jesus  Christ.  O,  that  I  may  be  enabled  to 
say  from  my  heart,  '  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner.' 
Though  I  have  not  been  without  trials,  the  year  past,  yet 
the  mercies  I  have  received  from  the  hand  of  God  are 
innumerable.  Alay  the  Lord  give  me  a  heart  to  praise 
him  and  to  be  more  faithful  in  all  the  duties  of  life ;  and 
may  I  be  prepared  for  the  events  of  another  year. 

"  Feb.  2,  l5;04.  Another  year  of  my  mortal  life  is 
gone,  and  not  a  moment  of  it  can  be  recalled.  I  desire 
gratefully  to  notice  the  goodness  of  God  towards  me,  the 
chief  of  sinnersj  in  that  I  am  continued  among  the  living, 
while  many  of  my  acquaintance  and  several  of  the  people 
of  my  charge  have  been  summoned  into  the  eternal  world. 
On  a  review  of  my  conduct  the  past  year,  I  see  abundant 
cause  for  self-abasement.  How  unfaithful  I  have  been  in 
every  relation  of  life  !  Lord,  pardon  me,  for  mine  iniquity 
is  great.  By  having  lived  another  year,  I  am  more  de- 
serving of  divine  wrath  than  ever,  having  misimproved  so 
many  privileges  and  mercies." 

« .ipril  4,  1805. 

"Dear  Sir, 

"  By  Mr.  E.  H.,  I  have  opportunity  to  send  you  a 
letter.  I  esteem  it  a  favor,  as  I  do  not  recollect  of  having 
an  opportunity  since  the  return  of  Mr.  G.  T.,  though  it 
has  been  greatly  desired.  This  is  my  apology  for  my  long 
silence.  The  affection  which  you  have  long  manifested 
for  me  and  my  family  leads  me  to  suppose  it  will  give  you 
joy  to  hear  of  our  health. 

"It  seems  sometimes  as  if  the  most  of  my  friends  were 
gone,  and  yet  I  have  friends  left.  I  often  wonder  that  I 
have  any  friends,  and  that  I  should  be  treated  as  one  of 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


49 


Christ's  ministers.  Almost  thirteen  years  have  rolled 
away  since  I  was  consecrated  to  the  great  work  of  the 
ministry.  You  and  I  shall  very  soon  be  reckoned  among 
the  old  men,  that  is,  if  divine  patience  is  extended  to  us, 
and  what  is  more,  our  bodies  will  soon  be  deposited  in  the 
grave,  and  our  souls  will  be  in  the  world  of  spirits.  Let 
us  live  as  if  we  were  looking  out  for  this." 

"  Lee,  July  6,  1805. 

My  dear  Niece, 

"  By  Mr.  D.,  your  aunt  received  a  letter  from  you, 
and  I  received  one  from  S.  In  these  we  noticed  the 
melancholy  tidings  of  your  dear  brother  J.'s  death,  of 
which  we  had  before  seen  an.  account  in  a  Boston  paper. 
Doubtless  this  dispensation  of  Providence  has  been  very 
trying  to  you  all ;  especially  to  your  mother.  Her  heart 
is  deeply  wounded.  She  feels  as  none  of  the  rest  of  you 
can  feel,  because  of  the  peculiar  relation  in  which  she 
stood  to  him.  She  was  his  niotlier;  she  nursed  him  in 
his  infancy  ;  she  watched  him  in  his  growing  years,  and 
carried  him  on  her  heart  from  his  birth  until  she  heard 
he  was  no  more  among  the  living.  And  even  now,  her 
thoughts  are  much  upon  him,  as  having  gone  to  his  long 
home,  and  as  existing  in  the  world  of  sjjirits,  where  she 
cannot  but  be  sensible  that  she  must  ere  long  meet  him. 
It  appears  that  his  death  must  be  the  more  affecting  to 
her,  as  the  time  had  nearly  arrived,  when  she  expected  he 
would  once  more  mingle  with  her  family  from  which  for 
so  many  years  he  had  been  separated.  But  the  all-wise 
Governor  of  the  universe  had  otherwise  ordered.  He  was 
to  find  his  grave  some  hundreds  of  miles  from  her,  and 
pass  through  the  scene  of  dying  without  having  a  mother, 
or  any  near  relative,  to  administer  a  word  of  comfort  to 
him.  Mysterious  Providence !  But,  though  now  mys- 
terious, it  will  hereafter  be  explained  to  her.  You  will 
5 


50 


MEMOIR  OF  ALVAN  HYDE. 


present  to  your  afflicted  mother,  our  cordial  salutations  ; 
and  tell  her  from  me  not  to  mourn  so  as  to  dishonor  that 
God,  who  has  seen  fit  in  great  faithfulness  to  correct  her. 
Through  the  sanctifying  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  I 
hope  and  pray  that  this  event  may  be  a  mean  of  weaning 
her  and  all  the  rest  of  you  from  this  fading  and  dying 
world,  and  of  quickening  you  to  prepare  for  another  and 
better  world  where  tears  will  be  wiped  from  the  eyes  of 
all,  who  are  so  happy  as  to  be  admitted  into  it.  Write 
often,  and  oblige  yours,  &c." 


CHAPTER  V. 


4DOMMENCEMENT  GF  THE  THIRD  REVIVAL  UNDER  HIS 
MINISTRY  BIRTHDAY  REFLECTIONS  LETTERS  FEEL- 
INGS FOR  HIS  CHILDREN  JOY  ON  THE  HOPEFUL  CON- 
VERSION  OF  HIS   OLDEST  SON. 

■"Lord's  day,  Sept.  21,  1806.  This  was  a  memorable 
Sabbath.  Being  called  to  preach  a  funeral  sermon  on  the 
death  of  a  young  man,  a  promising  youth,  I  spoke  from 
the  following  words  :  '  He,  being  dead,  yet  speaketh.' 
The  attention  and  solemnity  of  the  people  were  very 
visible.  Many  were  in  tears.  I  found  afterwards  that 
more  than  twenty  were  struck  under  conviction  on  this 
Sabbath,  who  afterwards  exhibited  evidence  of  a  work  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  on  their  hearts.  A  precious  harvest- 
season  followed,  and  my  labors,  as  a  minister,  were  abun- 
dantly increased. 

"  Feb.  2,  1807.  I  have  this  day  completed  thirty-nine 
years,  an<l  am  a  monument  of  the  wonderful  mercy  and 
patience  of  God.  I  desire  to  bless  God  that  he  allows  me 
to  stand  at  the  head  of  a  family,  and  that  he  has  hitherto 
saved  me  from  the  painful  feelings  of  parting  with  any  of 
my  children — and  that  he  yet  allows  me  to  stand  as  a 
laborer  in  his  vineyard.  How  unworthy  I  am  of  standing 
in  s.uch  relations  !    On  a  review  of  my  conduct  as  a 


53 


MEMOIR  OF 


parent  and  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel  during  the  year 
past,  I  see  more  to  condemn,  than  in  any  former  year  of 
my  life  ;  yet  I  have  witnessed  greater  mercies  than  usual, 
particularly  in  the  outpourings  of  the  Holy  Spirit  on  the 
people  of  my  charge.  This  good  work  which  began  in 
September  still  continues,  and  it  has  rendered  the  past  a 
memorable  year  of  my  life.  May  God  have  all  the  glory ; 
and  may  he  enable  me  to  devote  myself  more  unreservedly 
to  his  service." 

In  a  letter  to  one  of  his  correspondents  he  gives  a  few 
more  particulars  respecting  the  revival,  to  which  allusion 
is  made  in  the  e.xtracts  from  his  diary. 

'     «^pn7  24,  1807. 

"Dear  Sir, 

"  I  thank  you  for  your  favor  of  November  last.  Can 
you  accept  an  apology  for  my  long  silence?  I  can  as- 
sure you  that  this  delay  has  occasioned  me  no  small  grief; 
because  I  never  wish  to  disappoint  a.  friend,  nor  do  I  feel 
willing  to  forfeit  the  character  of  a  punctual  man.  All  I 
have  to  say,  by  way  of  apology,  is,  that  my  time  for  the 
last  six  months  has  been  unusually  occupied  in  attending 
to  the  people  of  my  charge.  I  have  been  obliged  to  neg- 
lect some  of  my  numerous  correspondents,  and  to  write 
letters  only  in  cases  of  necessity. 

"  You  will  recollect  that  we  had  meetings  for  prayer, 
on  Sabbath  evening,  for  several  years.  Our  number  was 
so  increased  the  last  summer,  that  we  were  under  the 
necessity  of  leaving  our  scliool-house  for  the  meeting- 
house. The  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  began  the  latter 
part  of  the  summer  and  became  visible  and  astonishing 
in  October.  Divine  influences  came  down  upon  this 
barren,  guilty  people,  like  a  mighty  shower,  and  continued 
through  November,  December,  January,  February,  and 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


53 


March,  and  I  hope  some  drops  are  falling  yet.  The 
people  became  eager  for  instruction.  The  most  of  tliis 
time,  we  have  had  meetings,  in  some  part  of  the  town, 
every  evening  in  the  week,  except  Saturday  evening. 
My  time  has  been  wholly  taken  up  and  pleasantly  em- 
ployed. *  *  *  The  new  converts  appear  understand- 
ingly  to  embrace  the  distinguishing  doctrines  of  Chris- 
tianity. Intelligence  of  this  kind  will  be  pleasing  and 
animating  to  you,  and  I  trust  will  excite  you  to  unite  with 
us  in  praising  Him  who  has  mercy  on  whom  he  will 
,have  mercy. 

"In  your  letter  you  request  my  thoughts  on  Acts  ii.  17. 
— 'Because  thou  wilt  not  leave  my  soul  in  hell,  neither 
wilt  thou  suffer  thine  Holy  One  to  see  coiruption.'  I  well 
recollect  your  asking  my  opinion  of  this  passage  when 
you  lived  in  Berkshire ;  but  cannot  now  call  to  mind  all 
that  passed  between  us  on  the  subject.  The  exposition  of 
the  text,  which  appears  to  me  the  most  rational  and  scrip- 
tural, is  the  following,  viz.  that  the  soul  is  put  for  the 
person,  as  we  find  is  the  case  in  Rom.  xiii.  1 — ^Lct  every 
soul  be  subject  unto  the  higher  powers.  Ezek.  xviii.  4 — 
The  soul  that  sinneth  it  shall  die.  Therefore  we  may 
consistently  with  otlier  scriptures,  consider  the  person  as 
saying.  Thou  wilt  not  leave  me  in  hell.  By  lull,  I  under- 
stand grave,  ox  the  state  of  the  dead.  I  acknowledge 
that  the  word  Hades,  here  translated  heU,  is  either  put  foi 
the  grave,  or  the  place  where  the  damned  are  punished. 
But,  seeing  these  words  are  introduced  by  the  inspired 
writer,  in  proof  of  Christ's  resurrection,  and  seeing  also 
that  Christ's  soul  was  in  paradise  where  he  promised  to 
the  penitent  thief,  that  he  should  be  with  him  on  the  day 
of  his  crucifixion,  it  is  most  natural  to  suppose  that  by 
hell,  in  this  passage,  is  meant  the  grave,  which  according 
to.  this  prophecy  could  not  hold  the  body  so  long,  as  that 
it  would  see  corruption.  By  this  exposition,  you  will  see 
5  * 


54 


MEMOIR  or 


that  I  mean  to  guard  against  the  popish  doctrine  of  the 
descent  of  Christ's  soul  into  the  hell  of  the  damned. 

"Mr.  W.'s  situation,  according  to  your  account,  is  truly 
unhappy.  I  fear  he  is  doing  hurt  to  the  cause.  He  has 
been  too  long  in  the  ministry,  and  too  long  an  eminent 
missionary,  to  be  thus  in  doubt  respecting  the  mode  of 
baptism.  It  has  grieved  me  to  think  he  has  refused  to 
administer  the  ordinance.  What  is  he  doing  with  his 
ordination  vows,  in  which  it  was  understood,  that  he  en- 
gaged to  administer  the  ordinances  to  proper  subjects  1 
Will  he  excuse  himself  by  saying  that  God  has  not  been 
sufficiently  crpUcit,  on  the  point  in  his  \vord  ?  I  should 
not  dare  to  say  this.  Christ  says  to  him,  and  to  all  his 
ministers,  Go  teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them,  &c.  Now 
will  it  do  for  us,  in  this  age  of  the  world,  to  say,  we  do 
not  know  in  what  manna-  to  baptize  ?  You  are  at  liberty 
to  communicate  my  thoughts  on  this  subject  to  Mr.  W. 
when  you  see  him." 

To  a  kinsman  in  whose  welfare  he  had  manifested 
special  interest,  he  writes  thas  : 

"April,  1807. 

"  I  have  received  two  letters  from  your  hand,  for  which 
I  wish  you  to  accept  my  sincere  thanks.  They  were 
peculiarly  pleasing  to  me,  because  you  so  frankly  acknowl- 
edged the  importance  of  religion,  and  appeared  to  inquire 
with  so  much  interest  respecting  the  awakening  in  this 
town.  In  your  last  I  noticed  some  expressions  relative  to 
your  own  feelings,  which  almost  led  me  to  hope  your  own 
eyes  had  been  opened,  and  that  you  saw  an  excellency  in 
religion  of  which  you  used  to  be  ignorant.  I  do  not 
make  tliis  remark  to  encourage  you  to  hope  without 
foundation,  but  to  excite  you  to  examine  your  heart,  and 
to  compare  yourself  with  the  only  standard — the  word  of 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


65 


God.  Can  you  say  that  you  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
in  sincerity  ?  Are  you  willing  to  forsake  all  to  become 
his  humble  follower?  Have  you  been  convinced  of  your 
lost  and  ruined  state,  and  that  the  salvation  of  your  soul 
must  be  a  fruit  of  mere  mercy  ?  If  you  can  from  the 
heart  answer  these  questions  in  the  affirmative,  you  have 
reason  to  hope  you  have  become  interested  in  the  atone- 
ment of  Christ.  No  event  respecting  you,  could  afford 
me  so  much  satisfaction  as  to  hear  of  your  exhibiting 
evidence  of  being  a  Christian.  Of  all  titles  which  we 
can  bear,  this  is  the  most  honorable. 

"The  awakening  among  my  people  has  been  powerful, 
and  still  continues.  More  than  fifty  exhibit  evidence  of 
a  saving  change,  the  greatest  part  of  whom  are  young 
people."    *    *  * 

To  the  same. 

"  July  15,  1807. 

"If  you  can  say  from  your  heart,  that  you  have  been 
made  to  loathe  your  own  past  stupid  life — that  divine  and 
eternal  things  appear  to  you  in  a  new  and  interesting 
point  of  light — and  that  you  feel  resolved  to  take  God  for 
your  portion,  it  is  more,  yea  infinitely  more,  than  if  the 
whole  world  were  made  over  to  you.  If  these  are  your 
I'cal  feelings,  it  must  be  the  fruit  of  something  besides  the 
nativ6  workings  of  your  corrupt  heart  or  of  any  human 
teaching.  It  must  be  the  fruit  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  and 
a  display  of  sovereign  mercy  towards  a  great  sinner. 
This  you  will  readily  acknowledge,  and  you  will  be  con- 
strained to  say,  Let  God  have  all  the  glory. 

"From  your  letter  I  have  drawn  the  conclusion,  that 
you  Jiupe  the  Lord  has  revealed  himself  to  you,  and  by  the 
influences  of  his  Spirit  is  drawing  you  away  from  sin,  and 
inclining  you  to  walk  in  the  way  of  his  commandments. 
Now  I  wish  to  olTer  you  some  advice,  and  I  trust  you  will 


66 


MEMOIR  OF 


weigh  it  as  coming  from  one  who  has  no  little  interest  in 
your  spiritual  welfare.  Freely  make  known  your  feelings 
and  views  to  your  pastor,  if  you  have  not  yet  done  it,  and 
converse  with  him  on  the  subject  of  making  a  profession 
of  religion.  I  hope  you  will  see  it  your  duty  to  unite  with 
the  church.  You  ought  to  avail  yourself  of  all  the  privi- 
leges which  a  gracious  God  places  within  your  reach, 
and  to  be  careful  not  to  put  your  light  under  a  bushel." 

To  llie  same. 

«  Oct.  7,  1807. 

"  I  perceive  you  have  not  followed  my  advice  on  the 
subject  of  conferring  with  your  pastor.  Is  it  not  obvious 
that  we  may  unreasonably  shut  ourselves  out  from  privi- 
leges which  are  important  to  our  souls,  and  that  by  so 
doing  we  may  be  instrumental  in  keeping  ourselves  in 
darkness?  In  this  world  of  sin  and  temptation  we  need 
all  the  privileges  and  all  the  restraints  which  a  gracious 
God  brings  within  our  reach.  I  hope  you  will  no  longer 
delay  the  opening  of  your  mind  freely  to  your  pastor  on 
the  all-important  subject  of  religion.  Candidly  attend  to 
his  advice.  If  the  Lord  hath  revealed  himself  to  you,  be 
not  backward  to  acknowledge  it.  I  long  to  see  you,  and 
to  become  acquainted  with  your  present  views." 

Birthday  reflections.  "Feb.  2,  1808.  The  mercy  and 
patience  of  God  towards  sinners  who  live  under  the  light 
of  the  gospel,  and  towards  me  especially,  are  wonderful. 
I  have  lived  forty  years  upon  the  goodness  of  God,  of 
which,  owing  to  the  baseness  and  unteachableness  of  my 
heart,  I  have  so  little  sense,  that  I  have  reason  to  humble 
myself  at  the  footstool,  as  being  the  most  ungrateful  of  all 
his  creatures.  I  can  review  no  part  of  my  life,  without 
having  the  feeling  that  '  shame  and  confusion  of  face 
belong  unto  me.'    But  vile  and  ungrateful  as  I  am,  I  do 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


57 


feel  at.  times  that  I  discern  an  excellency  in  religion, 
which  attaches  my  soul  to  it,  and  excites  in  me  an  ardent 
desire  to  promote  it,  aS  my  only  portion.  The  past  has 
been  with  me  a  year  of  great  mercies,  not  only  with 
respect  to  health  in  my  family,  but  with  respect  to  the 
increase  of  the  church  of  which  I  am  the  pastor.  O  that 
God  would  give  me  a  heart  to  bless  and  praise  him,  that 
he  yet  allows  me  to  stand  at  the  head  of  a  family,  to 
preach  to  my  fellow  sinners  the  unsearchable  riches  of 
Jesus  Christ,  and  to  witness  the  blessed  work  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  among  the  people  of  my  charge.  Nothing  appears 
to  me  so  desirable  as  to  live  near  to  God  ;  and  yet,  what 
is  very  strange,  in  nothing  am  I  so  deficient.  I  have  been 
wont  in  years  past,  to  resolve  to  be  more  faithful  in  all  the 
relations  in  which  I  stand,  and  wish  still  to  make  the 
same  resolution ;  but,  alas,  I  know  not  how  to  place  the 
least  confidence  in  myself.  God  must  work  his  own 
work  in  me,  or  I  shall  sink  into  stupidity  and  miserably 
perish.  May  it  be  my  constant  prayer,  that  God  would 
not  leave  me  to  harden  my  heart,  and  to  die  an  unfaithful 
parent,  and  an  unfaithful  minister." 

To  some  of  his  early  friends,  he  expresses  similar 
sentiments,  as  appear  in  extracts  from  his  letters. 

''March  14,  1808. 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  I  thank  you  for  your  friendly  letter  of  February  29, 
which  was  put  into  my  hands  last  evening.  I  read  it  with 
eagerness,  and  was  much  affected  with  its  contents.  It 
announced  to  me  the  death  of  several  persons  with  whom 
I  was  particularly  acquainted  in  my  youthful  days.  These 
events  were  full  of  admonition  and  warning.  Wonderful 
are  the  mercy  and  patience  of  God  towards  me,  in  sparing 
my  life  amidst  the  ravages  of  death  which  I  have  wit- 


58 


MEMOIR  OF 


nessed.  I  lament  my  ingratitude,  unteachableness  and 
stupidity,  when  God  has  been  so  faithful  in  warning.  It 
is  a  solemn  thing  to  die,  especially  solemn  for  one  who  is 
appointed  to  watch  for  souls. 

"  There  are  now  comparatively  few  of  my  old  acquaint- 
ance left  in  Franklin.  It  will  be  twenty-three  years  in  Sep- 
tember since  I  left  that  place,  which  I  have  visited  only 
occasionally,  and  of  late  years,  but  very  seldom.  Since 
then,  the  fathers  have  mostly  gone  down  to  the  grave,  and 
a  multitude  of  those  who  were  my  companions  in  youth. 
Great  must  be  the  loss  which  you  sustain  in  the  death  of 
Mr.  E.  T.  He  was  a  supporter  of  religion  and  good 
order,  a  valuable  member  of  society.  May  God,  in  mercy 
to  the  people,  incline  some  of  your  youth  to  step  forward 
and  supply  the  places  of  those  who  are  removed.  For  a 
blessing  so  important,  let  your  prayers  daily  ascend  unto 
Him  who  holdeth  all  hearts  in  his  hands. 

"  The  special  awakening  among  my  people  has  nearly 
subsided.  We  have  received  between  sixty  and  seventy 
into  the  church,  of  which  the  greatest  part  are  young 
people.  There  are  now  one  hundred  and  twenty  mem- 
bers in  this  church.  This  will  lead  you  to  see  that  my 
charge  is  great." 

"March  18,  1608. 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  You  give  me  much  proof  of  your  friendship,  of 
which  I  desire  to  have  a  grateful  sense.  Among  the  tokens 
of  divine  goodness  towards  an  unfaithful  and  unworthy 
creature,  I  esteem  the  many  Christian  friends  with  whom 
I  am  favored,  as  none  of  the  least.  Often  am  I  led  to 
admire  this  mercy  from  God.  Why  it  is  thus  ordered,  I 
know  not.  Perhaps  it  is  to  prepare  the  way  for  my  greater 
mortification  and  condemnation,  if  not  in  this  world,  yet 
in  the  world  to  come.    I  am  a  poor,  weak  mortal,  and 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


59 


vulnerable  on  every  side.  If  I  am  conscious  of  any  thing, 
it  is  this;  tliat  I  have  no  strength  of  my  own,  and  must 
be  kept,  if  kept  at  all,  by  the  mighty  power  of  God. 
Every  heart  knows  its  own  bitterness.  *  *  *  Our 
time  is  short — great  events  with  respect  to  us  all  are  fast 
approaching.  May  God  prepare  us  for  the  coming  and 
kingdom  of  his  Son." 

"February  2,  1809.  Having  obtained  help  of  God,  I 
continue  to  this  day,  and  have  completed  forty-one  years ; 
a  long  period  to  live  upon  the  mercy  and  patience  of  Him 
who  has  a  perfect  knowledge  of  all  my  ingratitude  and 
vileness.  I  now  desire  to  call  upon  my  soul,  and  all 
within  me,  to  offer  unfeigned  praise  to  the  Lord  for  the 
health  and  strength  with  which  I  have  been  favored,  and 
that  I  have  been  allowed  to  stand  another  year  in  defence 
of  the  gospel  of  the  divine  Redeemer.  Through  sovereign 
goodness,  my  family  have  been  preserved  from  sickness, 
and  my  children  all  shielded  from  the  arrows  of  death. 
My  heart  has  been  much  pained  with  the  appearance  of 
stupidity  among  my  people  the  year  past,  and  still  more, 
with  the  consciousness  of  my  own  remissness  in  duty. 
Forgive,  O  Lord,  my  great  unfaithfulness,  and  my  multi- 
plied and  aggravated  sins,  for  the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ, 
thy  dear  Son." 

In  the  following  letter,  addressed  to  a  friend  in  affliction, 
we  see  in  what  manner  he  fulfilled  the  command,  "  Weep 
with  them  that  weep." 

«  June  31,  1809. 

"  Dear  and  afflicted  Sister, 

"  The  death  of  your  affectionate  husband  has  been 
announced  to  us,  in  a  letter  from  Mrs.  F.,  and  the  tidings, 
though  not  unexpected,  have  filled  our  minds  with  grief 
His  connections  and  acquaintances,  in  his  removal  from 


60 


MEMOIR  OF 


this  world,  have  lost  a  valuable  friend.  The  town  which 
gave  him  birth,  is  deprived  of  one  of  its  most  active 
citizens,  cut  down  in  the  midst  of  life  and  usefulness. 
Mr.  B.  will  be  greatly  missed  in  all  the  relations  in  which 
he  stood.  If  I  am  correct  in  the  opinion  I  have  formed 
of  his  general  character,  the  indigent  and  distressed  have 
lost  an  important  benefactor.  But  the  feelings  which  his 
death  has  occasioned  among  his  numerous  friends  and 
acquaintances,  are  as  nothing  compared  with  those  which 
must  have  been  excited  in  his  own  family.  On  you, 
madam,  and  the  bereaved  children  whom  he  has  left 
behind,  tlie  stroke  has  fallen  with  a  weight  which  is 
indescribable.  You  are  deprived  of  your  nearest  earthly 
friend,  your  husband,  your  society,  the  partner  of  your 
joys  and  sorrows.  He  has  left  you  burdened,  I  suppose, 
with  cares,  and  full  of  grief;  and  has  gone  to  another 
world,  never  more  to  return  and  sympathize  with  you 
under  the  troubles  of  life.  Your  children,  in  their  tender 
years,  and  in  the  forming  period  of  life,  are  called  to 
sustain  a  loss,  which  the  world  can  never  make  up  to 
them. 

"  But,  afflictive  and  distressing  as  is  this  providence, 
there  is  an  ample  source  of  consolation  left,  and  your 
friends  can  do  no  better  thing  for  you,  than  to  point  you 
to  it.  Do  you  ask  where  you  shall  look  for  this  ?  You 
will  find  it  in  God.  He  lives,  and  will  continue  to  live, 
unchangably  the  same,  when  all  our  earthly  friends  are 
consigned  to  the  grave.  To  all  believers,  he  is  a  present 
help  in  trouble.  You  may  cast  all  your  cares  and  burdens 
upon  him,  for  he  is  able  and  willing  to  sustain  you.  It  is 
true  you  are  now  called  to  learn  a  new  and  hard  lesson, 
what  it  is  to  stand  in  this  world,  a  sorrowful  toidoio ;  but 
even  in  this  situation,  God  can  support  you,  and  greatly 
■promote  your  spiritual  interests.  If  you  have  faith,  you 
will  find  him  to  be  the  widow's  God,  and  a  father  of  the 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


61 


fatherless.  That  you  may  be  kept  from  fainting,  now  you 
are  rebuked,  will  be  the  prayer  of  all  your  Christian 
friends.  It  shall  be  the  prayer  of  him  who  now  addresses 
you  on  this  solemn  occasion.    *    *  * 

"  It  would  afford  me  much  satisfaction  to  visit  you,  at 
this  time,  but  the  distance  renders  it  impracticable.  I 
trust  your  house  is  frequented  by  your  brothers  and  sisters 
who  live  near  you,  and  that  they  do  every  thing  in  their 
power  to  alleviate  your  sorrows.  Mrs.  H.,  L.  A.,  and  the 
children,  unite  with  me  in  every  mark  of  condolence,  of 
which  we  are  capable,  without  drinking  of  the  same 
cup." 

"Junki,  1811. 

"  Rev.  and  dear  Sir,  ;  • 

"  I  thank  you  for  three  letters  lately'  received  "bjr 
different  hands,  which,  in  a  measure,  make  up  for  your 
long  silence.  I  rejoice  to  hear  of  your  health,  and  tliat  of 
your  family.  Your  trials  are  new  to  you,  but  the-most  of 
them  are  common  to  ministers.  The  dissatisfactidn  which 
you  feel  with  respect  to  yourself,  your  performances,  (Ji/C.', 
is  no  bad  symptom.  It  would  be  well,  if  we  all  felt  mudh 
more  di.ssatisfied  with  ourselves  than  we  do.  B'irt:thiB 
may  be  felt  without  any  real  amendment.  Oar  con- 
sciences may  speak  loud  and  trouble  us,  but  if  our  ^le'arts 
are  not  humbled,  and  we  are  not  excited  to  pray  fervently 
for  grace,  what  will  it  avail?  You  have  embarked. on  the 
boisterous  ocean  of  life,  and  must  expect  to  meet  with 
some  rebuffs,  and  to  experience  many  tossings.  Put  on, 
my  brother,  the  whole  armor  of  God,  and  you  will  finally 
come  off  conquetor." 

"June  9,  1811. 

"  Dear  Sir, 

*    *    *    "  Nothing  material  has  transpired  since  I 
wrote  you  last,  excepting  the  formation  of  a  church  in  thi? 
6 


62 


MEMOIR  OF 


town,  consisting  of  four  members  from  my  cliiirch,  and  tlie 
same  number  from  Mr.  Shepard's,  who  are  removing  to 
the  State  of  Oliio.  Tlie  scene  was  very  solemn  and  truly 
interesting.  About  forty  souls  are  expecting  to  leave  this 
town,  the  present  week,  or  the  beginning  of  the  week 
after.  It  is  a  great  loss  to  us ;  but  I  hope  they  will  do 
much  good  wliere  they  are  going,  and  be  instrumental 
of  extending  the  Redeemer's  kingdom  to  that  distant 
region." 

The  last  extract  has  been  made,  not  because  there 
was  any  thing  unusual  in  the  occurrence,  or  rather  in  the 
emigration  of  his  flock;  for  during  his  ministry  very  great 
numbers  left  his  church  to  people  the  west.  In  all  these 
he  continued  to  feel  a  pastor's  interest,  not  considering 
the  relation  to  have  ceased  by  their  change  of  residence ; 
and,  as  far  as  circumstances  permitted,  still  continuing  to 
watch  for  their  souls,  addressing  to  them  letters  of  Chris- 
tian counsel,  and  by  all  other  means  in  his  power,  seeking 
to  promote  their  highest  interests.  lu  a  number  of  in- 
stances, his  watchful  regard  for  these  colonists  from  the 
community  of  which  he  had  the  spiritual  oversight,  was 
instrumental  of  procuring  for  them  the  blessings  of  a 
stated  ministry.  Several  cases  of  his  attention  to  the 
wants  of  new  settlements  are  now  recollected,  in  which 
his  agency  led  to  the  location  of  young  men  who  had 
pursued  their  theological  studies  under  his  direction  ;  so 
that  he  may  emphatically  be  said  to  have  been  the  father 
of  many  churches  in  the  west.  Perhaps  we  could  hardly 
find  a  more  interesting  illustration  of  a  good  man's  in- 
fluence than  in  the  widely  diffused  blessings  which  are 
now  emanating  from  these  churches,  some  of  the  most 
flourishing  and  healthful  in  New  York  and  in  States 
further  west. 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


63 


"^Vou.  22,  1811. 

"  Dear  Friend, 

"  The  difficulties  in  S.,  and  the  unusual  height  to 
which  party  feelings  and  prejudices  have  arisen  there, 
have  filled  my  mind  witli  grief.  Almost  all  the  informa- 
tion I  have  had  on  the  melancholy  subject,  which  I  could 
look  upon  as  correct,  has  been  received  from  Mr.  B., 
Mrs.  N.,  and  yourself,  excepting  what  your  father  com- 
municated to  me.  From  all  I  can  learn,  your  situation 
as  a  church,  and  as  a  people,  is  truly  affecting.  Our 
particular  friends  are  divided  in  opinion,  some  adhering 
to  one  party  and  some  to  another.  It  all  appears  like  the 
work  of  the  adversary  of  souls;  and  the  influence  of  this 
division  must  be  unfavorable  to  the  spiritual  interests  of 
the  people.  During  this  heat  of  party  zeal,  I  have  thought 
best  to  be  silent,  well  knowing  that  no  advice  is  accepta- 
ble in  a  certain  stage  of  such  difficulties.  The  mind 
must  have  opportunity  to  reflect ;  for  people  without 
knowing  it,  become,  as  it  were,  distracted.  There  is  no 
ssuch  thing  as  reasoning  with  them.  I  have  trembled  for 
the  ark  of  God  at  . S.    *    *  * 

"  There  must  be  mutual  concessions,  a  spirit  of  forgive- 
ness which  is  mutual.  Shall  the  cliurch  of  Christ  in  S. 
be  rent  in  twain  ?  Shall  the  town  become  proverbial  for 
its  divisions?  Shall  posterity  rise  up  and  condemn  the 
conduct  of  their  fathers  of  the  present  generation  ?  Shall 
they  have  occasion  to  say.  If  it  had  not  been  for  the  dis- 
putes and  quarrels  of  our  fathers,  we  had  been  more 
respectable  as  a  town,  and  had  fairer  prospects  for  re- 
ligious instruction  ?  I  sometimes  feel  an  ardent  desire  to 
address  the  church  and  people  in  S.  as  I  have  done  in 
years  past,  and  to  beseech  them,  in  Christ's  stead,  to  be 
reconciled  to  God  and  to  one  another.  Such  desires, 
however,  I  repress,  knowing  I  am  a  feeble  worm  of  the 
dust.    Let  us,  my  friend,  be  comforted  from  this  thought, 


64 


MEMOIR  OF 


that  God  is  greater  than  all  hearts,  that  he  can  make  tlie 
wrath  of  man  praise  him,  and  the  remainder  of  it  he  can 
restrain." 

24,  1811. 

"  Dear  Sir, 

*  *  *  "I  have  lately  been  a  journey  to  Boston 
and  Salem,  and  had  opportunity  to  visit  the  state  prison 
at  Charlestowii.  I  preached  in  prison  to  more  than  two 
hundred  convicts,  several  of  whom  are  sentenced  there  for 
life.  The  scene  was  truly  interesting  to  my  mind,  par- 
ticularly as  I  found  some  of  the  convicts  under  serious 
impressions.  One  of  them  by  tlie  name  of  E.,  who  told 
me  lie  was  born  in  N.,  had  obtained  hope  of  the  pardon 
of  his  sins,  and  of  a  saving  knowledge  of  Christ.  He 
conversed  like  a  humble  man.  Perlinps  you  may  have 
knowledge  of  the  family,  and  may  have  opportunity  to 
communicate  the  pleasing  intelligence  to  his  friends.  The 
name  of  his  father  I  do  not  recollect,  though  he  informed 
me.  His  conversation  reminded  me  of  what  the  apostle 
said,  '  The  word  of  the  Lord  is  not  bound.'  " 

Here  is  an  incidental  mention  of  having  preached  once 
on  a  journey.  He  seldom  passed  any  distance,  in  any 
direction,  without  preaching  at  least  once  each  day.  And 
when  his  brethren  in  the  ministry  called  on  him  he  took 
it  for  granted  that  they  came  in  the  fullness  of  the  blessing 
of  the  gospel  of  peace,  and  were  ready  for  every  good 
work.  If  the  hour  was  suital)le,  tlie  bell  of  the  church 
announced  a  meeting,  and  among  his  own  people,  \\ith  a 
few  moments'  notice,  without  aiiv  knowledge  of  the  person 
who  was  to  address  them,  a  large  auditory  were  together 
to  hear  the  gospel  from  whomsoever  God  had  sent  to 
them  to  deliver  his  message.  He  seemed  always  to  bear 
in  mind  the  apostolic  direction  to  preach  the  word  in 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


65 


season  and  out  of  season.  He  was  never  weary  of  his 
work  ;  but  opportunities  to  preach,  were  regarded  as  a 
privilege  and  improved  with  delight.  They  were  luxu- 
ries— they  were  spoken  of  as  proof  of  the  kindness  of  his 
heavenly  Father,  when  on  a  journey  he  had  opportunity 
to  preach  Christ  in  places  where  he  tarried  but  a  few 
hours.  It  was  his  happiness  to  learn  that  in  many  in- 
stances these  occasional  services  were  signally  useful. 
His  practice  in  the  particular  to  which  allusion  has  been 
made,  forms  a  contrast  to  that  of  many  ministers  who 
seem  anxious  to  be  excused  from  every  extra  service,  and 
make  it  an  object  to  do  as  little,  rather  than  as  much  as 
they  can,  assigning  as  a  reason,  that  their  minds  are 
dissipated,  and  are  unfitted  to  preach  from  being  on  a 
journey. 

"  Lord's  day,  Feb.  2,  1S12.  This  day  completes  forty- 
four  j'ears  since  I  first  breathed  the  breath  of  life.  As  in 
all  former  years,  so  in  the  one  which  has  just  closed 
upon  me,  I  have  been  constantly  sinning,  and  constantly 
abusing  the  goodness  and  mercy  of  God.  A  conscious- 
ness of  this  has  occasioned  much  grief  in  my  soul,  and  I 
hope  some  degree  of  godly  sorrow.  I  can  see  most  evident 
tokens  of  the  divine  care  over  me.  My  health  is  yet  con- 
tinued and  my  reason  is  preserved.  I  am  yet  allowed  to 
stand  in  the  vineyard  of  my  Lord  as  a  laborer,  and  to 
preach  to  my  people  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Jesus 
Christ.  I  have  been  enabled  to  make  great  exertions 
the  year  past,  by  attending  numerous  religious  meetings 
among  my  people,  beside  the  stated  worship  of  God  upon 
the  Sabbath ;  but  I  have  to  lament,  that  these  exertions 
have  been  made  with  a  criminal  indifference  to  the  glory 
of  God.  The  past  year  has  been  a  time  of  general  stu- 
pidity and  coldness  among  my  people,  and  of  few  ac- 
cessions to  the  church.  Wickedness  has  appeared  to 
G  * 


66 


MEMOIR  OF 


increase,  and  evils  have  been  sent  upon  us,  wliicli  have 
evidently  evinced  the  divine  anger. 

"God  has  been  very  merciful,  in  sparing  all  niy  chil- 
dren, now  nine  in  number ;  but  what  ought  to  be  my 
constant  grief  and  lamentation  is,  they  all  appear  to  be  in 
a  state  of  sin,  and  strangers  to  the  love  of  God,  though 
they  manifest  as  much  obedience  to  their  parents,  and  are 
as  orderly  in  their  behavior,  as  children  in  general.  O 
that  I  might  be  humble,  that  I  might  have  a  heart  to 
devote  myself  more  sincerely  and  more  unreservedly  to 
the  honor  of  my  Maker,  and  to  pray  more  fervently  for  my 
children,  that. Christ,  the  hope  of  glory,  might  be  formed 
in  them.  I  desire  once  more,  as  in  the  presence  of  that 
Being  who  knows  all  things,  to  consecrate  myself  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry,  and  to  give  up  all  my  children  to  be 
the  Lord's  forever;  desiring  to  leave  it  wholly  with  Him, 
to  dispose  of  them,  for  this  and  the  future  world,  as  he 
shall  see  best. 

In  a  letter  to  one  of  his  most  intimate  friends  he  writes 
thus : 

<*  March  10,  1812. 

"Dear  Sir, 

"  I  begin  to  fear  we  shall  grow  unmindful  of  that 
friendship  which  early  subsisted  between  us,  and  which 
has  been  to  me  a  source  of  much  happiness.  For  more 
than  twenty  years,  I  believe  there  has  not  been  so  long  a 
space  without  an  interchange  of  letters  as  the  present.  I 
have  been  the  most  delinquent,  but  my  apology  is,  I  have 
been  uncommonly  burdened  with  cares.  You  have  had 
your  cares ;  but  you  have  had  it  in  your  power  to  with- 
draw from  them,  and,  at  some  seasons,  to  be  master  of 
your  time. 

"  Through  divine  mercy,  my  numerous  family  are  all 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


67 


yet  among  the  living,  and  ill  conifoi  table  heaitii.  All  my 
children  have  perfect  bodies,  are  tolerably  active,  and 
possess  common  sense,  for  which  I  have  great  reason  to 
be  thankful.  But  I  have  to  lament  before  my  heavenly 
Father,  that  they  all  appear  to  be  in  a  state  of  nature, 
unsanctified,  and  unhumbled.  I  do  not  mean  that  they 
are  vicious,  but  they  do  not  appear  to  possess  religion. 
My  consolation  is  that  they  are  in  God's  hands,  who  will 
dispose  of  them  for  his  own  glory. 

"  I  was  at  W.  last  week,  and  am  happy  to  inform  you 
that  there  is  a  very  promising  religious  appearance  in  that 
town.  I  spent  some  days  there  and  preached  four  times. 
The  labors  of  Mr.  N.  were  apparently  blessed  among  that 
people,  and  probably  he  has  left  numbers,  who  will  be 
seals  of  his  ministry  and  crowns  of  his  rejoicing  in  the  day 
of  the  Lord." 

Such  were  the  feelings  he  expressed  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  year  1812,  respecting  his  children,  and  such 
the  grief  ou  account  of  their  giving  no  evidence  of  piety. 
It  was  not  his  practice  to'  hold  long  discourses  with 
them  on  the  subject  of  personal  religion,  but  to  com- 
municate instruction  from  facts  as  they  occurred  in  divine 
providence,  and  more  especially  from  the  truths  of  God's 
word,  as  they  were  able  to  bear  it.  He  did  not  overload 
the  minds  of  the  youth  with  the  technical  phraseology  of 
religion,  but  he  had  the  faculty  of  rendering  his  religious 
exercises  seasons  of  pleasure  to  his  children.  For  more 
than  thirty  years  it  was  his  practice  to  appropriate  an 
hour  during  the  Lord's  day  to  an  extra  devotional  exercise 
with  his  household,  besides  his  regular  family  worship. 
Portions  of  scripture  were  read,  questions  were  proposed 
to  each  one  present,  remarks  were  made,  devotional  songs 
were  sung,  and  all  this  performed  with  such  pleasure 
and  cheerfulness  on  the  part  of  l,hc  parents,  with  such  a 


68 


MEMOIR  OF 


peculiar  aptness  to  teach  on  the  part  of  him  who  presided 
in  the  circle,  that  there  were  rarely  any  indications  of 
weariness  on  the  part  of  the  children. 

"Maij  8,  1812. 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  Your  son  called  on  me  this  morning  at  a  time  when 
I  had  company  from  abroad  ;  and  though  he  has  been 
here  several  hours  I  have  had  no  time  with  him  alone.  I 
have  broken  away  just  to  tell  you,  that  the  Lord  is  yet 
patient  and  merciful  towards  us,  in  sparing  all  our  lives, 
and  in  favoring  us  with  health. 

"  But  I  have  a  greater  blessing  to  speak  of  than  the 
health  of  my  family.  1  have  received  information  that 
Alvan,  who  is  a  member  of  college,  is  rejoicing  in  the 
Saviour.  Dr.  F.  has  given  me  a  short  statement  of  his 
appearance  and  manner  of  conversing,  from  which  I  am 
led  to  hope  in  his  case.  I  rejoice  though  with  trembling. 
All  this  prospect  of  good  may  be  preparatory  to  some 
keen  disappointment  with  respect  to  him.  But  we  are  all 
in  God's  hands." 

"Sept.  27,  1812. 

"  Dear  Sister, 

"  It  is  a  long  time  since  I  have  written  to  you,  and 
sometimes  I  have  been  afraid  you  would  think  yourself 
almost  forgotten.  My  only  apology  is  the  multitude  and 
pressing  nature  of  my  cares.  We  now  stand  at  the  head 
of  a  very  numerous  family,  liaving  ten  immortal  souls 
committed  to  our  care.  They  are  all  depending  under 
God  upon  us,  for  their  support,  and  for  religious  instruc- 
tion. To  provide  for  their  temporal  wants  is  a  great  task 
— to  guide  them  as  candidates  for  eternity  is  far  greater. 
I  feel  myself  exceedingly  deficient,  and  criminally  negli- 
gent.    Alvan,  we  hope,  has  embraced  the  Saviour,  and 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


69 


coniinciicoci  the  Christian  race.  This,  if  real,  is  an  in- 
finite l)lessinir  in  our  family.  He  now  stands  propounded 
to  the  church.  O  that  we  may  have  grace  given  us  to 
make  a  wise  improvement  of  this  distinguished  favor  of 
God  to  an  unworthy  family.  Through  divine  mercy  our 
children  are  all  in  health,  and  all  appear  to  be  as  promising 
as  children  in  general.  What  the  Lord  designs  to  do 
with  them  I  know  not.  I  desire  to  leave  them  in  his 
hands,  and  at  his  disposal. 

"I  have  mentioned  the  greatness  of  the  task  devolved 
on  us — but  how  much  greater  must  be  yours.  You  have 
a  number  of  children  under  your  care  without  the  aid  and 
assistance  of  a  father  to  guide  them  in  the  forming  period 
of  life.  I  know  your  cares  and  anxieties  must,  at  times, 
be  overwhelming.  You  need  much  wisdom  and  grace. 
May  a  kind  and  gracious  God  be  your  husband,  and  their 
father. 

"Give  my  love  to  them,  and  tell  them,  from  me,  to  be 
obedient  and  good  children,  and  then  their  heavenly 
Father  will  provide  for  them.  The  present  is  a  world  of 
changes.  Truly  nothing  on  earth  is  abiding.  Let  us 
then  look  out  for  another  and  a  better  country." 


CHAPTER  VI. 


DEATH   OF   HIS    SON    CHARLES     BACKUS  HIS     OWX  SICK- 
NESS   IN     1813  HIS   VIEWS    OF    ENTIRE  DEPENDENCE 

AND   PERFECT   ACCOUNTABILITY  DIARY    AND  LETTERS 

TO  1819. 

In  the  preceding  extracts  from  the  diary  and  letters,  we 
have  heard  this  parent  alluding  to  his  family  as  in  a  state 
of  prosperity  till  the  Lord  committed  ten  immortal  beings 
to  the  liands  of  parents  who  felt  a  deep  responsibility  for 
their  souls.  We  have  heard  the  father  mourning  over  the 
impenitence  and  stupidity  of  those  so  dear  to  him,  and 
lamenting  his  unfaithfulness ;  and  finally  rejoicing  with 
trembling  when  it  was  announced  to  him  that  his  first- 
born indulged  some  hope  of  an  interest  in  the  only 
Saviour.  We  have  seen  the  father,  renewing  again  and 
again  the  dedication  of  the  children  to  the  Lord,  and 
leaving  them  at  his  disposal,  and  exhorting  others  to  be 
looking  out  for  a  better  country.  The  next  date  in  his 
diary  is  as  follows  : 

"In  the  month  of  February,  1813,  the  people  in  this 
town  were  visited  with  an  epidemic  sickness,  denominated 
the  lung  f(  ver,  which  proved  mortal  beyond  any  thing  I 
ever  witnessed.    It  prevailed  about  two  months,  in  which 


MEMOIR  OF  ALVAN  HYDE. 


71 


time  seventeen  adults  and  the  most  of  them  heads  of 
families,  died.  On  the  5th  of  March  my  second  son 
Charles  Backus  was  seized  with  this  fatal  disorder,  and 
on  the  20th  of  the  same  month,  he  died.  This  was  to  me 
and  my  dear  companion,  a  new  and  trying  scene.  I  had 
frequently  been  with  the  sick  and  dying,  and  had  wit- 
nessed the  anguish  of  parents,  when  they  saw  their  chil- 
dren struggling  in  the  agonies  of  death  ;  but  never  did  I 
enter  into  their  feelings,  till  God  in  his  providence  opened 
this  scene  before  my  eyes.  This  visitation  of  God  was, 
however,  connected  with  uncommon  mercies,  for  it  occa- 
sioned a  great  increase  of  prayer  in  ray  house.  Many  of 
my  Christian  friends,  who  came  to  see  me  under  this  rod, 
prayed  with  great  apparent  fervency  for  my  distressed  son, 
and  for  all  my  family  ;  and  I  am  not  left  without  hope 
that  the  prayers  which  were  offered  up,  on  his  behalf, 
were  heard.  He  exhibited  some  hopeful  marks  of  peni- 
tence and  humility,  though  there  was  not  opportunity  for 
his  character  to  be  proved.  I  leave  that  child  in  the  hands 
of  that  Being  who  gave  him  to  me  and  who  has  taken 
him  away. 

"  On  the  day  succeeding  the  death  of  this  son  we  fol  lowed 
his  remains  to  the  grave,  on  which  solemn  occasion  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Shepard,  of  Lenox,  preached  a  sermon  from 
Job  i.  21 — Naked  came  I  out  of  my  mother's  womb,  and 
naked  shall  I  return  thither ;  the  Lord  gave,  and  the 
Lord  hath  taken  away ;  blessed  be  the  name  of  the 
Lord. 

"  The  distressing  sickness  of  this  son,  together  with 
the  numerous  calls  at  this  time  and  for  many  weeks  after 
to  visit  the  sick  and  dying  by  night  and  by  day,  reduced 
me  to  a  very  feeble  and  alarming  state  of  health.  My 
lungs  became  so  weak,  that  I  was  under  the  necessity  of 
suspending  my  public  labors,  for  a  number  of  weeks. 
But  through  divine  mercy,  I  had  strength  generally  to 


72 


MEMOIR  OF 


meet  with  my  people  on  the  Lord's  day,  and  to  guide  the 
public  services,  though  I  did  no  more  than  to  read  the 
psalms,  call  upon  some  of  the  brethren  to  pray,  and  a 
suitable  person  to  read  a  sermon  whicii  I  had  selected, 
and  also  to  jyronounce  the  blessing.  This  was  a  season 
of  great  tri.al,  but  the  Lord  graciously  supported  me." 

In  a  letter  to  one  of  his  most  intimate  friends  he  gives 
some  additional  particulars. 

March  2S,  1813. 

"  My  dear  Friend, 

"  In  our  house  we  have  had  a  most  distressing  scene. 
I  have  a  desire  to  give  you  all  the  particulars  of  my  dear 
son's  death,  but  it  would  occupy  sheets  of  paper.  Some 
general  things  I  must  .state  to  you,  as  I  know  you  will  feel 
deeply  interested  in  our  afflictions.  Charles  was  attacked 
with  the  disorder  a  fortnight  ago  last  Friday  night,  at  the 
house  of  Mr.  P.,  with  whom  he  lived.  lie  lodged  alone 
in  a  chamber,  and  so  violent  was  the  attack,  that  he  was 
not  able  to  get  out  of  bed  and  dress  himself,  though  he 
attempted  it  several  times.  I  suppose  he  lay,  shaken  and 
tortured  with  severe  agues,  for  eight  or  ten  hours,  before 
his  case  was  known  to  any  one.  About  ten  o'clock  on 
Saturday,  I  brought  him  home  in  a  sleigh,  and  aided  him 
into  the  study,  from  which  he  never  went  until  he  was 
carried  out  in  his  coffin.  He  never  was  able  to  sit  in  liis 
chair.  He  lived  fifteen  days  in  the  most  extreme  distress 
I  ever  witnessed,  and  died  on  Saturday,  the  20th  inst., 
twenty-five  minutes  past  three,  P.  M.  On  the  fourth  day 
of  his  sickness,  I  had  a  council  of  doctors  at  my  house, 
all  of  whom  pronounced  his  case  a  hopeless  one,  and  gave 
it,  as  their  opinion,  that  lie  would  not  live  twenty-four 
hours  ;  though  he  survived  ten  days  and  more  afterwards. 
Several  times,  in  the  course  of  his  sickness,  we  gathered 


ALVAN  HYDE.  73 

around  his  bod  of  distress  to  witness  the  parting  moment. 
When  it  came,  we  had  anguish  of  soul  wiiich  I  sliall  not 
undertake  to  describe.    But,  I  desire  to  bless  God  for  the 
precious  opportunities  for  prayer  and  free  conversation 
which  I  had  with  Charles.    My  house  was  resorted  to  by 
Christian  friends,  and  prayer  M-as  almost  unceasingly 
made  for  him.    For  the  last  ten  days  of  his  sickness,  he 
became  calm  in  his  mind,  and  expressed  confidence  in 
God,  and  hope  in  his  mercy  through  Jesus  Christ.  He 
was  truly  remarkable  for  his  patience  during  the  whole 
scene,  and  greatly  endeared  himself  to  his  attendants  and 
watchers.    He  apparently  met  the  king  of  terrors  without 
dismay.    *    *    *    Thus,  my  dear  friend,  I  have  given 
you  some  account  of  this  afflictive,  yet  righteous  dis- 
pensation of  divine  Providence  towards  me  and  my  family. 
I  have  felt  much  support  through  the  trying  scene,  for 
which  I  am  indebted  wholly  to  the  goodness  and  mercy 
of  God.    I  have  thought  also,  that  my  dear  wife  has  borne 
the  affliction  with  wonderful  fortitude,  though  she  has  had 
to  endure  great  bodily  weakness." 

In  other  letters,  there  are  the  following  allusions  to  the 
same  scenes. 

'Mug.  20,  1813. 

"  Dear  Friends, 

"By  Mrs.  B.'s  letter,  written,  I  conclude,  at  your 
house,  we  have  been  informed  of  the  renewed  obligations 
you  are  under  to  the  Giver  of  all  blessings  ;  partic^ularly, 
for  the  birth  of  another  son.  When  the"  letter  came  to 
hand,  we  were  at  Mr.  D.'s.  Mrs.  H.  first  opened  and 
read  it ;  but  before  she  had  read  many  sentences,  I  found 
she  was  in  a  flood  of  tears,  and  concluded  that  the  king 
of  terrors  must  have  entered  some  of  your  abodes.  On 
perusing  the  letter,  my  fears  were  removed  ;  for  I  saw  at 
7 


74 


MEMOIR  OF 


once,  the  occasion  of  her  weeping.  Slie  was  deeply 
affected  to  see  the  name,  Charles  Bacltus  Hyde,  given  to 
your  new  born  son.  Our  minds  were  led  to  a  review  of 
past  scenes  of  affliction,  when  our  heavenly  Father  made 
so  heavy  a  breach  upon  us.  We  seemed  to  realize  afresh 
that  our  son  was  gone,  and  that  our  ffiends  were  attempt- 
ing to  perpetuate  his  memory,  and  in  that  way  to  console 
us.  We  thank  you  for  your  kind  remembrance  of  our 
grief, — we  are  pleased  with  the  way  in  which  your  sym- 
pathetic feelings  for  us  are  expressed.  Your  son  will  be 
endeared  to  us,  on  account  of  his  name.  But  let  what 
will  be  done,  by  our  friends,  the  place  of  our  dear  Charles 
can  no  more  be  filled.  He  is  removed  to  another  world — 
to  his  long  home  ;  and  the  Lord  who  gave  him  to  us,  has 
done  it.  Our  duty  is  to  submit,  and  to  bless  the  name  of 
the  Lord.  It  is  my  fervent  prayer  that  you  may  live  to 
see  some  good  thing  toward  the  Lord  in  your  child,  who 
is  to  bear  up  the  name  of  our  deceased  son." 

"Z>ec.  21,  1813. 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  I  suppose  it  will  give  you  great  alarm,  with  respect 
to  my  health,  when  I  tell  you  that  I  have  not  been  able  to 
preach  since  the  first  Sabbath  in  November.  The  Lord 
has  seen  it  best  to  put  a  stop  to  my  labors,  at  least  for  the 
present,  and  whether  I  shall  ever  resume  them  again,  is 
known  only  to  Him  whose  prerogative  it  is  to  dispose  of 
us  all  for  time  and  eternity.  You  will  recollect  that  my 
health  was  feeble  when  you  last  saw  me,  in  September. 
It  gradually  yet  sensibly  failed,  until  I  was  obliged  to 
yield,  and  tell  my  people  that  I  had  not  strength  to  speak 
to  them.  I  had  a  very  troublesome  cough,  accompanied 
with  more  or  less  fever,  loss  of  appetite,  and  great  weak- 
ness in  my  lungs.  For  eight  days  I  was  confined  to  my 
house.    Since  then,  I  have  attended  public  worship  on 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


75 


the  Sabbath,  and  when  we  have  not  had  preaching,  I 
have  presided  in  the  meetings,  and  read  the  psalms.  I  am 
now  in  a  convalescent  state,  but  am  a  poor  feeble  crea- 
ture. O  that  I  may  be  enabled  to  imitate  the  blessed 
Saviour,  and  learn  obedience  by  the  things  which  I  am 
called  to  suffer.  I  now  reflect  with  wonder  on  the  good- 
ness of  God,  in  favoring  me  so  long  with  such  excellent 
health.  For  nearly  twenty-two  years,  I  have  been  able  to 
make  constant  exertions,  and  to  be  out  in  all  the 
vicissitudes  of  weather,  by  night  and  by  day.  My  calls 
have  been  numerous  this  fall,  both  at  home  and  abroad; 
but  I  have  been  obliged  to  deny,  and  throw  off  all  the 
cares  and  burdens  which  I  possibly  could.  Such  have 
been  my  habits,  that  you  will  naturally  conclude  I  have 
had  a  season  of  trial.  During  this  time,  there  have  been 
evident  tokens  of  increasing  attention  among  my  people. 
How  unsearchable  are  the  ways  of  God  !  Since  Septem- 
ber, we  have  received  eighteen  into  the  church,  and 
expect  to  receive  a  number  more  the  next  communion. 
The  attention  is  principally  among  the  youth.  We  hope 
for  a  rich  harvest  of  souls  ;  but  we  are  perfectly  depend- 
ent on  that  holy  Being,  who  has  mercy  on  whom  he  wiH 
have  mercy. 

"  I  thank  you  for  your  letter  which  came  duly  to  hand. 
I  rejoice  that  you  are  now  in  a  situation  so  favorable  to 
improvement.  You  are  under  the  care  of  able  instructors, 
and  your  society,  collected  as  it  is,  from  the  virtuous  and 
religious  students  of  various  colleges,  must  be  as  good  as 
can  be  expected  in  the  present  age  of  the  world.  I  hope 
you  will  not  be  wanting  to  yourself,  nor  unmindful  of  your 
obligations  to  your  divine  Benefactor,  in  whose  rich 
bounty  you  have  remarkably  shared.  Bo  willing  often  to 
retrace  the  footsteps  of  divine  Providence  with  respect  to 
you.  It  may  be  profitable,  because  it  may  increase  your 
sense  of  obligation.    It  may  be  pleasant,  because  it  may 


76 


MEMOIR  OF 


be  the  means  of  making  you  more  grateful,  and  of  givinf 
you  more  refined  enjoyment.  Never  forget  tlie  rock 
whence  you  was  hewn.  Mingle  frequent  and  fervent 
prayer  with  your  researches  after  theological  science. 
Resist  every  temptation  of  the  adversary,  for  I  fear  he  is 
at  A.,  and  will  be  busy  with  you.  He  will,  if  possible, 
persuade  you  qot  to  go  forward,  because  you  have  no 
talents,  or  no  gifts,  or  no  grace,  or  too  feeble  health,  or 
the  expenses  will  be  too  great.  In  view  of  every  sugges- 
tion of  the  kind,  look  out  for  the  adversary  and  resist  him. 
And  uliile  you  resolve  to  persevere,  beware  that  you  da 
not  glory  in  your  learning — in  your  theological  learning. 
As  well  might  you  glory  in  your  fine  clothes.  '  Thus 
saith  the  Lord,  Let  not  the  wise  man  glory  in  his  wisdom.' 
The  work  for  which  you  are  preparing,  is  great ;  it  is 
honorable.  The  great  apostle  of  the  gentiles  said,  '  He 
that  desireth  the  office  of  a  bishop,  desireth  a  good  work.' 
But  remember,  that  a  bishop  is  to  be  a  servant  for  Jesus* 
sake. 

"  A.  came  home  last  week,  and  returned  on  Friday 
of  this  week.  I  hope  you  will  continue  your  correspond- 
ence with  him,  and  endeavor  to  do  him  all  the  good  you 
can." 

"  Jan.  6,  1815. 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  I  know  from  my  own  experience,  how  prone  we  are 
to  mislmprove  both  afflictions  and  mercies.  He  who 
chastises  us,  must  sanctify  the  rod,  or  we  shall  remain  the 
same  heedless  and  rebellious  creatures  as  before.  AVe 
shall  even  increase  in  hardness  of  heart.  May  God  of  his 
infinite  mercy  prevent  this  in  your  case  and  in  mine. 
*  *  *  Our  national  prospects  are  gloomy  in  the  ex- 
treme. The  God  of  our  fathers  has  evidently  a  contro- 
versy with  us,  and  without  repentance  and  reformation. 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


77 


we  may  not  again  hope  for  liis  favor.  The  people  in  this 
county  are  uniting  their  exertions  to  effect  a  reformation 
of  morals,  particularly  to  prevent  the  gross  violation  of  the 
Sabbath.  In  this  dark  time  there  is  one  source  of  conso- 
lation left,  and  it  is  an  unfailing  source ;  it  is  this — The 
Lord  reigneth. 

"  When  I  reflect  on  the  degenerate  and  deplorable  state 
of  our  country,  I  tremble  for  the  rising  generation.  I 
tremble  for  my  own  numerous  offspring.  But  present  duty 
is  what  I  have  to  discharge,  and  to  leave  all  events  with 
him  who  is  infinitely  wise  and  good.  '  Sufficient  unto 
the  day  is  the  evil  thereof  " 

In  a  letter  of  a  date  earlier  than  some  of  the  last  ex- 
tracts from  his  correspondence,  he  expresses  the  following 
sentiments : 

"Dea.  J.  was  here  a  few  days  ago,  and  showed  me  a  long 
letter  from  you,  which  gave  him  some  uneasiness.  He 
fears  your  inquisitive  turn  of  mind,  unless  it  is  very  cau- 
tiously managed,  will  land  you  in  some  gross  errors.  God 
grant  that  this  may  not  be  the  case.  My  dear  friend,  the 
government  of  God,  as  extending  to  the  hearts  and 
thoughts  of  men,  has  been  a  stone  of  stumbling  in  the 
world,  ever  since  the  days  of  the  apostles.  In  my  opinion, 
all  intermediate  links  between  the  agency  of  God,  and  the 
positive  exercises  of  moral  agents,  however  ingeniously 
framed,  are  among  the  inventions  of  men,  and  only  serve 
to  perplex  the  inquiring  mind.  They  relieve  none  of  the 
supposed  difficulties  whatever.  I  suppose  the  holy  exer- 
cises of  saints  are  produced  by  the  immediate  influence  or 
agency  of  the  Spirit,  and  yet  these  exercises  are  praise- 
worthy. I  can  just  as  well  conceive  that  contrary  exer- 
cises are  the  immediate  effect  of  divine  agency,  and  yet 
such  exercises  are  blameworthy.  Do  you  plead  for  a 
7  * 


78 


MEMOIR  OF 


principle,  antecedent  to  exercise  ?  This  principle  must, 
in  the  nature  of  the  case,  be  either  active  or  inactive.  If 
inactive,  neither  praise  nor  blame  can  be  predicated  of  it, 
any  more  than  of  your  hand  or  foot.  If  active,  distinguish 
it,  if  you  can,  from  exercise. 

"  Pardon  me,  sir,  I  did  not  think  of  attempting  a  vin- 
dication of  Dea.  J.'s  sentiments  in  opposition  to  yours. 

"  Have  you  read  Dr.  Buchanan's  Christiaii  Researches 
in  Asia  ?  ,  If  you  have  not,  I  wish  you  would.  No  book 
has  interested  my  feelings  more  for  many  years.  I  have 
been  making  some  feeble  exertions  among  my  people  in 
behalf  of  the  poor  heathen  idolaters,  and  have  collected 
forty-four  dollars.  Four  young  men  will  sail  in  a  few 
weeks  for  Asia.    May  the  Lord  accompany  them." 

In  another  letter  he  speaks  of  his  health  in  these  words. 

"  I  desire  to  be  thankful  to  the  Father  of  all  mercies, 
that  I  am  able  to  inform  you  that  I  am  once  more  in  a 
convalescent  state.  From  June  to  October,  my  health 
was  very  poor  indeed,  and  the  prospect  of  my  continuance 
m  the  vineyard,  as  a  laborer,  very  small.  I  am  now  able 
to  preach  ;  and  it  appears  to  be  a  great  privilege  to  speak 
for  Christ,  in  this  fallen  world.  May  God  enable  me  to 
be  faithful  while  I  am  suffered  to  live. 

*  *  *  "I  received  a  letter  from  Dr.  W.,  about 
four  weeks  since,  informing  me  of  the  proposed  concert 
of  prayer  for  the  convention  which  is  to  meet  at  Hartford. 
I  circulated  the  information  through  the  county,  as  soon 
as  possible.  Next  Thursday  we  propose  to  assemble  at 
the  meeting-house  for  that  object." 

Birthday  reflections.  "Feb.  2,  1815.  On  a  review 
of  God's  dealings  with  me,  the  year  past,  I  desire  grate- 
fully to  acknowledge  that  he  has  followed  me  with  his 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


79 


goodness  and  tender  mercy.  He  has  spared  my  life,  and 
restored  me  to  comfortable  health,  when  I  have  been 
visited  with  threatening  complaints.  He  allows  me  to 
stand  at  the  head  of  my  numerous  family,  and  to  preach 
the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  to  the  church  and  people  of  my 
charge.  In  my  distresses  he  has  given  me  many  friends, 
whose  kindness,  expressed  in  many  ways,  has  greatly  in- 
creased my  obligations  to  be  thankful  and  more  devoted 
to  his  service.  When  I  look  at  myself,  and  take  a  retro- 
spect of  my  walk,  I  am  astonished  at  my  unfaithfulness  to 
my  family,  to  my  people,  and  to  my  God.  I  am  con- 
strained to  condemn  myself  and  lie  low  in  the  dust. 

"  Nothing  appears  more  evident  to  me  than  that  I  can 
have  no  dependence  for  salvation  on  my  own  doings. 
Lord,  enlighten  my  mind  more  and  more  in  the  knowledge 
of  the  truth,  and  teach  me  to  rely  wholly  on  the  merits  of 
Jesus  Christ ;  and  as  I  draw  nearer  to  the  grave,  and  to 
the  eternal  world,  may  I  be  quickened  in  prayer,  and  be 
more  engaged  for  the  salvation  of  immortal  souls,  and 
especially  for  the  spiritual  good  of  my  children.'' 

"  Ftb.  26,  1817, 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  Your  letter  by  Mr.  W.  reached  me  three  days  ago, 
and  was  very  acceptable.  I  thank  you  for  remembering 
me  and  my  family  with  so  much  affection  and  friendship. 

"  It  seems  you  have  been  reading  Dr.  Bellamy's  '  Wis- 
dom of  God  in  the  permission  of  sin,'  and  find  in  the  work 
many  objectionable  things.  Not  only  the  general  plan  of 
that  work  fails  of  meeting  your  approbation,  but  you  object 
to  some  of  his  expressions,  illustrations,  and  arguments. 
The  most  of  your  criticisms,  if  not  all  of  them,  I  tliink  are 
well  founded. '  Dr.  Bellamy  was  a  man  of  strong  intellect 
and  ardent  feelings,  and  he  was  considered  in  his  day,  as 
distinguished  for  orthodoxy  ;   but  his  compositions  are 


80 


MEMOIR  OF 


rather  rough  hewed,  containing  many  unguarded  ex- 
pressions, and  some  undigested  ideas.  I  should  suppose 
his  work  would  not  be  very  pleasing  to  a  man  of  your 
critical  taste.  But  though  he  was  an  imperfect  man,  he 
was  raised  up  to  fill  an  important  place  in  the  church.  I 
have  a  great  respect  for  his  memory. 

*  *  *  "  As  to  the  question  whether  the  Jewish 
minors  eat  of  the  passover,  I  have  nothing  to  communicate 
which  will  be  new  to  you.  I  do  not  feel  so  positive  with 
respect  to  this  point,  as  I  do  with  respect  to  many  others, 
on  which  I  have  bestowed  some  thoughts.  It  is,  however, 
evident  to  my  own  mind,  that  neither  the  Jewish  women 
nor  children  were  commanded  to  appear  before  the  Lord, 
at  the  three  great  yearly  feasts.  See  Exodus  xxiii.  17. 
It  is,  however,  probable,  that  the  women  did  sometimes 
attend,  1  Sam.  i.  2,  but  not  invariably,  and  perhaps  not 
generally.  Samuel,  when  a  child,  was  not  carried. 
When  the  passover  was  celebrated  the  second  time,  which 
was  in  the  wilderness,  there  were  many  uncircumcised 
children,  who  certainly  were  not  qualified  to  eat  of  the 
passover.  And,  further,  from  the  consideration  that  our 
Saviour  did  not  go  up  to  Jerusalem  after  the  custom  of 
the  feast,  until  he  was  twelve  years  old,  I  have  drawn  the 
conclusion  that  before  this  age,  young  persons  never  went 
up  to  the  passover. 

"  All  the  males  of  suitable  age,  were  commanded  to  eat 
the  passover  ;  and  there  were  certain  requisite  qualifica- 
tions for  this  feast :  viz.  they  must  be  circumcised  them- 
selves, and  all  the  males  in  their  household.  In  case  of 
the  neglect  of  this  institution,  they  and  their  children  were 
to  be  cut  off." 

In  another  letter  to  the  same  correspondent,  he  writes 
thus  upon  this  subject : 

"  You  inquire  for  evidence  from  scripture  that  the 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


81 


'  Jewish  father  did  not  bring  his  household  to  the  ordi- 
nance of  the  passover.'  I  have  not  much  evidence  to 
exhibit,  in  proof  of  tiiis  point.  In  conversation  with  you, 
I  believe  I  asserted  that  it  was  doubtful  whether  little  chil- 
dren and  infants  ate  the  passover.  The  incapacity  of  in- 
fants to  partalce  of  the  paschal  lamb,  is  one  thing  which 
renders  it  doubtful  whether  infants  were  brought  to  this 
ordinance.  Another  consideration  is  the  peculiar  manner 
in  which  the  passover  was  to  be  eaten.  See  Exodus  xii. 
11.  'And  thus  shall  ye  eat  it :  with  your  loins  girded, 
your  shoes  on  your  feet,  and  your  staff  in  your  hand :  and 
ye  shall  eat  it  in  haste,  it  is  the  Lord's  passover.'  I  have 
only  to  ask.  Do  these  requisitions  appear  to  be  of  such  a 
nature  as  to  be  extended  to  infants  ?  But  I  am  not  dis- 
posed to  be  positive  in  this  matter  ;  for  in  my  mind,  it  is 
doubtful.  Admitting,  however,  that  the  father  brought 
every  soul  of  his  household  to  this  ordinance,  not  except- 
ing the  infant  of  ten  days,  it  ought  not  to  influence  our 
conclusions  respecting  the  proper  subjects  to  be  at  the 
table  of  the  Lord.  The  passover  was  no  part  of  the  Abra- 
hamic  covenant.    It  belonged  to  the  ritual  institution." 

"June  9,  1817. 

"  I  returned  from  Boston  on  Tuesday  evening  of  last 
week,  having  been  absent  a  little  more  than  a  fortnight. 
My  journey  to  and  from  Boston,  was  remarkably  prosper- 
ous and  very  pleasant.  I  saw  many  dear  friends,  and 
among  the  rest  my  class  mate  D.,  whom  I  had  not  seen  for 
almost  thirty  years.  The  meeting  was  mutually  affecting 
and  even  melting.  I  heard  him  preach  an  excellent 
sermon,  wliich  was  full  of  divine  trutli  and  was  delivered 
with  solemnity.  He  heard  me  preach  before  the  conven- 
tion. This  was  to  me  a  tremendous  occasion.  I  found 
myself  surrounded  by  men  glorying  in  their  talents,  and 
their  learning,  and  yet  opposed  to  the  great  doctrines  of 


82 


MEMOIR  OF 


the  cross.  But  I  was  carried  through  the  scene — was 
enabled  to  deliver  my  whole  soul,  and  now  the  effect  must 
be  left,  as  infinite  wisdom  shall  order  it.  I  have  only  to 
lament  that  my  mind  was  not  more  entirely  under  the 
influence  of  that  religion  which  I  attempted  to  exhibit  in 
my  sermon." 

"Dec.  13,  1817. 
"  By  a  letter  from  Mrs.  F.,  I  learn  that  the  all-wise  Dis- 
poser of  events  hath  again  brought  you  and  your  family 
into  the  furnace  of  affliction.  Your  dear  son,  T.,  who,  I 
recollect,  was  a  sprightly  and  promising  child,  is  numbered 
with  the  dead.  From  my  own  experience,  I  know  that 
the  scenes  through  which  you  have  been  called  to  pass,  in 
his  sickness,  death,  and  burial,  have  been  very  trying  and 
overwhelming  to  nature.  You  have  stood  in  special  need 
of  that  support  which  divine  grace  alone  can  impart.  I 
hope  you  have  not  been  left  to  murmur,  nor  to  contend 
with  Him  who  never  afflicts  without  sufficient  reason,  nor 
in  measure  exceeding  our  demerit.  The  Lord  gave  you 
that  son  to  be  trained  up  for  him  ;  and  the  Lord  hath 
taken  him  away  because  he  was  his  own,  and  not  yours — 
and  now  may  he  give  you  grace  to  say,  and  to  say  it,  as 
being  the  language  of  your  heart,  '  Blessed  be  the  name 
of  the  Lord.'  The  anchor  of  your  soul  in  this  day  of 
trouble  must  be  submission  to  the  will  of  God.  You  have 
not  a  husband  to  share  with  you  in  your  grief,  and  to 
bemoan  with  you  the  loss  of  a  dear  departed  child.  You 
are  a  sorrowful  widow ;  but  remember  that  the  Saviour 
lives,  and  that  he  is  represented  in  the  sacred  volume,  as 
being  '  afflicted  in  all  the  afflictions  of  his  people.'  I  pray 
God  to  sanctify  tills  bereavement  to  you  and  your  surviv- 
ing children,  that  the  fruit  of  it  may  be  to  you  all  the 
taking  away  of  your  sins.  Mrs.  H.  and  I  can  sympathize 
with  you ;  for  we  have  been  made  to  drink  of  the  same 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


83 


bitter  cup.  Accept  from  us  this  expression  of  condo- 
lence." 

«  Jan.  4,  1819. 

"  Dear  Friends, 

"  The  swift  wings  of  time,  on  which  we  have  been 
borne,  protected  by  divine  mercy,  have  wafted  us  through 
another  year.  O  that  we  may  have  hearts  to  praise  the 
Lord,  that  the  destroying  angel  was  not  commissioned  to 
arrest  any  of  my  numerous  family.  On  the  morning  of 
new-year's  day,  we  had  a  meeting  for  prayer  and  praise 
at  the  meeting-house,  just  as  the  sun  arose,  attended  by 
nearly  five  hundred  people.  It  was  truly  a  solemn  hour. 
The  same  has  been  our  practice  for  several  years.  On 
the  Sabbath  I  preached  a  new-year's  sermon  to  a  very 
crowded  audience,  probably  not  much  short  of  a  thousand. 
May  God,  by  his  grace,  prepare  us  for  the  changes  and 
trials  of  the  present  year^  which  are  now  wisely  hidden 
from  us. 

"  It  gave  us  much  joy  to  learn  that  you  had  received  a 
letter  from  your  son  W.,  and  that  he  was  in  health  when 
he  wrote.  You  will  fall  into  transgression,  destroy  your 
own  peace,  and  offend  your  Maker,  if  you  refuse  to  cast 
that  dear  absent  child  on  that  holy  and  wise  Providence 
which  controls  the  boisterous  ocean,  no  less  than  the 
affairs  of  the  domestic  circle.  Let  your  solicitude  for  him 
be  expressed  in  fervent  humble  prayer. 

*  *  *  'CWe  both,  my  dear  friends,  have  large 
families,  and  are  involved  in  weighty  cares.  It  is  not  for 
us  to  know  what  is  before  them  in  life,  what  changes  they 
may  experience,  what  portion  of  influence  they  may 
possess  in  society,  or  what  trials  they  may  bring  upon  us 
before  we  go  down  to  the  grave.  Let  us  teach  them  to 
acknowledge  God  in  all  their  ways,  and  then  he  will 
direct  their  paths." 


CHAPTER  VII. 


BIRTHDAY    REFLECTIONS  FOR   1819  LETTERS  ATTENDS 

THE   ORDINATION   OF  HIS   SON  IN  OHIO  AN  APPEAL  TO 

A   FRIEND  ON  A  SICK  BED  OTHER  LETTERS  ANOTHER 

REVIVAL  IN  CONNECTION  WITH  HIS  LABORS  SICKNESS 

OF  HIS    OLDEST   SON  COUNSEL  TO    A  CORRESPONDENT 

DISSATISFIED  WITH  HIS  MINISTER  FEELINGS   FOE  HIS 

CHILDREN. 

Birthday  reflections.  "  Feb.  2,  1819.  Four  years 
have  elapsed  since  I  have  made  any  particular  record  of 
the  providences  and  mercies  of  God  in  which  he  has  been 
continually  passing  before  me.  For  this  omission  I  feel 
myself  condemned ;  because,  on  a  serious  review,  it  ap- 
pears to  be  evincive  of  a  want  of  a  feeling  and  lively 
sense  of  the  astonishing  goodness  and  mercy  of  God,  in 
continuing  me  in  the  land  of  the  living  and  a  prisoner  of 
hope.  Notwithstanding  this,  I  humbly  trust  that  I  have 
been  attempting,  though  in  a  very  poor  and  imperfect 
manner,  and  with  a  criminal  languor  of  affections,  to 
follow  on  to  know  the  Lord.  And  if  I  am  not  greatly 
deceived,  I  have  had  seasons  of  abasing  myself  before 
him  on  account  of  my  unfaithfulness  and  vileness,  and 
also  of  high  satisfaction  in  his  service.  During  this 
period  I  have  been  called  to  pass  through  some  very 


MEMOIR  OF  ALVAN  HYDE. 


85 


trying  scenes,  in  cases  where  I  have  felt  it  my  duty  to 
decide  and  to  take  a  stand  in  opposition  to  the  strong 
prepossessions  of  those  who   had  been  my  Christian 

friends ;  particularly  in  relation  to  the  troubles  at  , 

and  at   ,  having  had  my  name  cast  out  as  evil  by 

those  who  have  differed  from  me  in  opinion.  God  has 
taught  me,  by  my  own  experience,  what  it  is  to -go  through 
both  good  report  and  evil  report. 

"  I  desire  to  bless  God  that  he  has  given  me  health  and 
strength  to  preach  every  Sabbath,  during  the  past  year, 
and  to  attend  an  unusual  number  of  religious  meetings 
among  my  people,  averaging,  at  least,  three  in  each  week. 
I  trust  that  God  has  given  me  some  souls  to  be  the  seal 
of  my  ministry,  during  the  past  year.  The  Lord,  in  his 
tender  mercy,  has  remarkably  blessed  my  family  with 
health,  so  that  we  have  not  had  occasion,  during  the  year, 
to  call  for  the  aid  of  a  physician.  My  two  eldest  children 
are  now  hopefully  brought  into  the  kingdom  of  Christ, 
and  have  publicly  professed  religion  ;  and  my  oldest  son 
is  a  missionary  of  the  cross.  I  feel  it  to  be  a  great  honor 
to  have  one  of  my  family  improved  as  an  instrument  of 
extending  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  I  now  renew  the 
dedication  of  myself  and  all  my  children  to  God,  desiring 
to  feel,  that  we  are  all  strangers  and  pilgrims  on  earth — 
that  time  is  short,  and  that  inconceivably  great  scenes 
await  us.  May  God  prepare  me,  by  his  grace,  for  the 
duties  and  trials  of  life,  and  for  the  enjoyment  of  himself 
in  the  realms  of  light  and  glory." 

"  Feb.  20, 1819. 

"Dear  Friends, 

"  Your  letter  of  the  8th  instant  duly  came  to  hand, 
and  gave  us  new  occasion  for  rejoicing  in  the  Lord. 
What  blessing  can  be  so  great  to  any  people  as  to  have 
8 


86 


MEMOIR  OF 


their  affections  broken  off  from  the  vanities  of  this  world 
and  placed  upon  the  durable  riches,  purchased  by  the 
blood  of  the  Son  of  God  ?  The  good  work  of  grace 
which  the  Lord  has  begun  among  you,  appears  to  have 
been  uncommonly  rapid  in  its  progress  ;  for  you  intimate, 
that  not  less  than  fifty,  exhibit  some  evidence  of  having 
passed  from  death  unto  life.  1  thank  you  for  giving  me 
so  early  information  of  this  new  and  rich  display  of  the 
mercy  of  God  through  Jesus  Christ.  I  hope  and  pray 
that  the  effect  on  my  own  mind  may  be  salutary. 

*  *  *  "I  desire  to  bless  God,  that  we  are  not 
without  some  tokens  of  his  special  presence  in  this  place. 
In  some  parts  of  the  town  there  is  unusual  solemnity  ; 
and  I  trust  five  or  six  withiii  a  few  weeks,  have  tasted  and 
seen  that  the  Lord  is  good. 

"  To  your  lot  as  w  ell  as  to  ours  it  has  fallen  to  have  the 
charge  of  a  numerous  family.  How  important  and  inter- 
esting is  the  present  season  to  your  dear  children  who  are 
with  you.  I  hope  you  will  be  able  to  say  more  than  that 
their  minds  are  solemnized.  God  grant  that  their  hearts 
may  be  changed,  and  that  a  new  song  may  be  put  into 
their  mouths.  If  this  should  be  the  case,  your  family 
would  become  a  little  church,  and  the  Lord  would  dwell 
with  you  and  bless  you.  While  Christ  is  passing  through 
your  town,  dispensing  his  rich  blessings  to  one  and  an- 
other, you,  the  parents,  should  be  very  solicitous  to  have 
him  come  under  your  roof,  and  make  a  gracious  visit  to 
your  family.  Why  did  B.  leave  S.  so  soon  after  the  Spirit 
of  God  was  shed  down  among  you  ?  I  know  God  can 
change  his  heart  at  C.  as  well  as  at  his  father's  house. 
But  what  a  privilege  it  would  have  been  to  witness  the 
triumphs  of  the  Redeemer  in  his  native  place  ?  An  in- 
terest in  the  Saviour  is  an  infinitely  better  portion  than 
literary  fame." 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


87 


''Dec.  18,  1819. 

"Dear  Sir, 

"  I  tliank  you  for  your  letter  of  the  13th  ult.  and  for 
the  ingenious  and  pertinent  apologies  which  you  have  made 
for  my  long  silence.  Selecting  that  which  has  had  the 
most  influence  in  interrupting  our  correspondence,  I  shall 
.say,  that  the  state  of  your  society  in  relation  to  Mr.  O., 
your  late  minister,  is  the  one;  and  the  one  which  T  sup- 
posed would  occur  to  your  reflecting  mind.  I  have  passed 
through  a  siege,  of  two  or  three  years'  continuance, 
occasioned  by  the  almost  unprecedented  difficulties  in 

 .    There  are  times  and  seasons  when  it  is  wisdom 

to  be  silent ;  and  he,  who  can  govern  his  tongue  or  his 
pen  at  such  times,  displays  more  true  valor,  than  he  who 
conquers  a  city.  While  your  troubles  were  pending,  I 
was  even  afraid  you  would  write  to  me  on  the  subject.  I 
had  no  call,  in  providence,  to  meddle  with  them.  Know- 
ing that  you  was  considered  as  the  head  of  a  party,  any 
representation  which  you  might  make  of  them  to  me, 
would  render  my  approbation,  or  disapprobation  of  any 
measure  relating  to  them,  altogether  improper.  *  *  * 
Enough  respecting  apologies. 

"In  answer  to  your  question,  'What  is  all  this  mighty 
stir  in  the  Christian  world  about  religion  ? '  I  reply  to 
you  as  thus  :  I  see  much  human  frailty  and  imperfection 
in  all  these  movements — much  display — much  which  tends 
to  evil,  and  will  unavoidably  issue  in  it,  if  God  do  not 
prevent.  Many  are  burying  trutli,  as  fast  as  the  Jews  did 
before  the  advent  of  Christ,  while  they  are  full  of  zeal. 
Important  distinctions  are  overlooked  ;  and  it  is  probable, 
that  it  will  not  be  long,  before  it  will  be  necessary  to  have 
another  president  Edwards  raised  up  to  make  a  mighty 
effort  to  rescue  the  truth,  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  from  the  mass 
of  rubbish  gathering  around  it. 

At  the  same  time,  I  see  many  cheering  and  animating 


88 


MEMOIR  OF 


things — many  preludes  of  the  happy  day  so  fully  predicted 
in  the  scriptures.  The  current  is  now  running  a  particu- 
lar way,  and  no  human  influence  can  stop  it.  I  expect 
the  imperfection  of  man  will  be  made  to  appear ;  but  the 
counsel  of  the  Lord  will  stand,  and  all  his  promises  will 
be  fulfilled.  He  to  wliom  will  be  all  the  glory,  will  over- 
turn, and  overturn,  and  overturn,  producing  great  and 
unexpected  changes  in  the  political  and  religious  world, 
until  the  set  time  to  favor  Zion  shall  come.  Let  us,  my 
friend,  rejoice  that  the  Lord  reignetli.  *  *  * 
and  our  companions  have  entered  upon  the  evening  of 
life  ;  and  whether  we  are  prepared  or  not,  the  time  of  our 
departure  is  at  hand.  I  suppose  you  are  not  far  from 
sixty  years  of  age.  What  remains  now  of  life  will  prob- 
ably be  filled  up  with  suffering.  Our  Saviour  charges  us 
to  watch  and  pray.  How  happy  we  might  be,  if  we  only 
regarded  the  divine  promises  as  yea  and  amen  in  Christ 
Jesus.  We  know  better  than  we  do,  we  acknowledge  in 
words  more  than  we  feel,  we  believe  facts  from  divine  and 
human  testimony  in  which  we  do  not  and  will  not  feel 
interested.    Hence  gospel  faith  works  by  love." 

Birthday  reflections.  "  Feb.  2,  1820.  Revolving  time 
has  brought  me  to  see  another  anniversary  of  the  day  on 
which  I  commenced  existence.  Wonderful  have  been 
the  goodness  and  patience  of  God  towards  me  and  my 
family.  In  view  of  which  I  desire  to  erect  a  monument  to 
his  praise  with  this  motto — '  Hitherto  hath  the  Lord 
helped  me.'  My  health  has  been  preserved,  my  reason 
continued,  and  my  ministry  prolonged.  I  am  yet  suffered 
to  stand  as  the  pastor  of  the  church,  which  was  committed 
to  me  as  an  under-shepherd,  in  my  youth.  In  no  instance 
during  the  past  year,  have  my  stated  labors  been  inter- 
rupted by  ill  health,  or  by  any  other  providence.  I  de- 
sire to  be  humble  before  God,  that  while  I  have  been 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


89 


active  among  my  people,  and  liave  addressed  tliem  in 
public  and  in  private,  on  the  concerns  of  their  souls,  I 
have  had  no  more  regard  to  his  honor  and  glory. 

"  Mv  heart  has  been  filled  with  pain,  in  witnessing  the 
stupidity  of  my  people,  and  the  unusual  languor  and 
coldness  in  the  members  of  the  church.  How  evident  it 
is,  that  we  must  all  perish,  minister  and  people,  unless 
sovereign  mercy  interpose,  and  turn  our  hearts  unto  the 
Lord  ! 

"  During  the  past  year,  I  have  been  enabled  to  perform 
several  journeys  of  considerable  length,  and  one  of  five 
hundred  and  fifty  miles  to  attend  the  ordination  of  my  son 
Alvan,  at  Madison,  Ohio.  'This  was  a  scene,  which  I 
met  with  gre^t  trembling;  but  I  desire  to  bless  God,  that 
I  have  lived  to  see  that  son  so  honorably  settled  in  the 
great  work  of  the  gospel  ministry,  where  he  has  a  fair 
prospect  of  being  u.<=eful.  I  now  renew  the  dedication  of 
myself  and  all  my  children  unto  the  Lord,  to  be  his  for- 
ever and  ever." 

"Jlpril  11,  1820. 

"  My  dear  afflicted  Friend, 

'*  I  address  a  few  lines  to  you,  though  very  doubtful 
from  the  representations  made  to  me  of  your  situation, 
whether  you  will  ever  have  opportunity  to  peruse  them,  or 
to  hear  them  read.  The  last  particular  account  I  had 
from  you,  I  received  from  Mrs.  C,  who  spoke  of  your 
departure  from  this  world,  as  being  then  probably  near. 
This  discouraged  me  from  writing;  but  as  it  is  possible 
you  may  yet  bo  continued  among  the  living,  and  a 
prisoner  of  hope,  my  anxiety  for  you  has  compelled  me 
to  take  up  my  pen,  to  communicate  a  few  thoughts  to 
you. 

"  I  speak  to  you  as  a  dying  man,  to  whom  this  fading 
world  has  no  comfort  to  impart.    My  friend,  what  is  the 
8  * 


90 


MEMOIR  OF 


state  of  your  soul?  What  are  your  prospects  for  tiie 
future  world?  If  you  have  liope  in  Christ,  aud  have 
found  a  portion  in  hini,  an  excliange  of  worlds  will  be 
your  gain.  You  have  liis  testimony  in  the  following 
words — 'He  that  believetli  shall  be  saved.'  To  comfort 
you  on  any  other  ground  than  that  of  a  union  of  soul  to 
Christ,  I  dare  not.  You  must  have  that  faith,  which  will 
make  Christ  appear  to  you  infinitely  excellent  and  all- 
sufficient.  This  faith  will  disarm  death  of  all  its  terrors, 
and  j)resent  eternity,  not  as  being  gloomy  but  joyful.  I 
would  fondly  hope,  that  you  already  know  this  by  happy 
experience,  and  that  though  you  may  be  on  the  borders 
of  eternity,  you  are  comforted  witli  that  hope,  which  is 
an  anchor  to  the  soul.  If  the  case  is  otherwise  with  you, 
I  once  more  exhort  and  entreat  you  to  cast  yourself  upon 
the  mercy  of  God  in  Christ  while  the  expiring  lamp  of 
life  holds  out  to  burn.  Say  not  that  your  sins  are  too 
numerous  and  aggravated  to  be  pardoned ;  for  Christ 
came  to  save  the  very  chief  of  sinners.  His  precious 
blood  can  wash  away  all  our  stains.  Say  not  that  \ou 
have  delayed  repentance  until  it  is  too  late ;  for  the  ])ar- 
doning  mercy  of  God  is  sometimes  extended  to  the  sinner 
at  the  eleventh  hour.  Call  to  mind  the  case  of  the  thief 
on  the  cross.  When  death  had  begun  his  work  upon  him, 
he  was  heard  to  J'ray,  '  Lord,  remember  me,  when  thou 
comest  into  thy  kingdom.'  Ilis  soul  being  humbled  in 
him,  he  had  a  gracious  answer  of  peace.  You,  my  dear 
friend,  may  have  a  ))ortion  in  Christ,  OTdy  for  asking, 
with  a  feeling  sense  of  your  dependence.  You  may  have 
peace  and  quiet  in  your  soul,  as  a  dying  man.  But  you 
must  be  humble,  you  must  loathe  your  sins — you  must  be 
willing  to  be  dependent  on  God,  and  feel  a  pleasure  in 
being  wholly  at  his  disposal.  How  happy  you  may  be,  if 
you  are  only  willing  to  cast  yourself  upon  (he  mercy  of 
God,  and  can  feel  that  submission  to  his  will  is  your 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


91 


highest  privilege.  I  pray  God  to  lift  upon  you  the  light  of 
his  countenance,  and  shine  into  your  heart,  that  you  may 
have  some  foretaste  of  the  joys  of  the  heavenly  world.  As 
to  the  time  and  manner  of  the  closing  scene,  which  you 
probably  have  in  expectation,  leave  it  all  with  God.  He 
knows  infinitely  better  than  you  do,  what  is  best.  Com- 
mit also  your  dear  wife  and  children  into  his  hands,  for  he 
can  take  care  of  them  without  your  aid. 

"This  is  the  substance  of  what  I  should  say,  if  I  were 
to  have  a  personal  interview  with  you.  I  accompany  the 
whole  with  my  fervent  prayers,  that  your  heart  may  be 
opened,  by  divine  grace,  to  receive  the  counsel  which  I 
have  given  you.    *    *  * 

"  And  now,  dear  sir,  I  take  my  leave  of  you,  com- 
mending you  to  the  mercy  of  God,  and  pleading  that  you 
may  find  all  that  support  which  you  need  as  a  sinner,  and 
as  one  who  is  near  the  eternal  world." 

"Jan.  8,  1821. 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"By  Mr.  L.  B.,  of  this  town,  I  liave  opportunity  to 
forward  a  letter  to  you,  and  I  gladly  emljrace  it.  It  is 
more  than  a  year  since  I  have  received  a  line  from  you. 
I  do  not  like  to  forget  my  old  friends,  nor  to  be  forgotten 
by  them.    *    *  * 

"  How  incompetent  are  we  to  carve  for  our  cliildren  ! 
I  sometimes  tJiink  that  I  feel  a  degree  of  cheerfulness  in 
leaving  them  wholly  in  the  hands  of  that  great  and  good 
Being  to  whom  I  have  publicly  dedicated  them.  The 
interesting  relation  in  which  I  have  long  stood  to  these 
immortal  beings,  never  comes  into  my  mind  without  a 
conviction  of  great  imfailhfulness  on  my  part. 

"  In  the  church  and  town  we  have  as  much  tranquillity 
and  peace  as  fall  to  the  lot  of  churches  and  towns  gen- 
erally, and  as  much  as  can  be  expected  among  a  people 


9-2 


ME.MOIll  OF 


so  destitute  of  the  life  and  power  of  religion.  During  the 
last  summer  and  autumn,  I  trust  that  some  few  of  the 
young  people  of  niy  charge  were  liberated  from  the 
reigning  power  of  sin.  For  several  years,  the  number  of 
members  in  the  church  has  not  varied  much  from  two 
hundred,  notwithstanding  the  ravages  of  death,  and  the 
spirit  of  emigration  which  has  prevailed. 

"  I  have  at  no  period  of  my  life  experienced  such 
tremblings  of  mind  for  the  State  of  Massachusetts  as  I 
have  since  the  separation  of  Maine.  This  event  has 
caused  the  meeting  of  a  convention  for  the  revision  of  our 
constitution.  I  have  feared  that  God  would  take  away 
wisdom  from  us,  and  leave  us  to  choose  to  do  what  might 
seem  right  in  our  own  eyes.  The  task  before  the  con- 
vention has  been  arduous,  the  session  long — already  eight 
weeks;  but  I  hope  and  trust,  after  all  their  strugglings, 
they  will  leave  the  constitution  essentially  tlie  same  which 
it  has  been  for  forty  years.  As  it  will  come  from  their 
hands,  it  will  lose  one  feature  of  no  little  consequence  in 
my  mind.  It  will  not  make  a  belief  in  the  Christian 
religion  a  requisite  qualification  for  the  ofiice  of  governor, 
&c.  This  I  lament,  because  it  appears  to  be  an  evident 
departure  from  the  word  of  God.  It  affects  our  religious 
character  as  a  State.  It  is  an  abandonment  of  the  ground 
on  ^hich  we  have  stood  for  two  hundred  years.  It  is 
saying  our  fathers  were  foolish.  Having  read  nearly  all 
the  debates  iiv  the  convention  on  the  various  subjects,  I 
must  acknowledge  that  there  are  now  in  Massachusetts 
many  men  of  distinguished  talents.  I  will  venture  to 
name  to  yoUj  without  disparagement  to  many  others, 
Prescott,  Parker,  Webster,  Saltonstali,  and  Wilde.  George 
Bliss,  Esq.  has  been  the  chairman  of  one  of  the  most  im- 
portant committees,  and  has  acquitted  himself  as  an 
honest,  discerning,  and  firm  man. 

"  With  respect  to  the  religious  state  of  Massachusetts, 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


93 


there  are  some  cheering  things,  and  many  that  are  glootny. 
Cliaritabie  societies  are  multiplying,  and  the  aggregate 
sum  collected  yearly  for  benevolent  objects  in  this  single 
State,  is  immense.  Religious  intelligence  is  diffused  in 
every  part  of  the  State,  and  by  almost  every  newspaper  ; 
but  after  alJ,  I  greatly  fear,  many,  by  reading  these  papers 
weekly,  as  they  vvould  some  interesting  novel,  are  rapidly 
losing  their  relish  for  more  solid  reading,  and  that  the 
distinguishing. doctrines  of  the  cross,  so  .ably  defended  by 
Edwards,  Bellamy,  Hopkins,  and  many  others  now  no 
more,  are  beginning  to  be  crowded  into  the  background. 
*    *    *    But  the  King  of  Zion  reigns. 

"  I  have  now,  my  dear  sir,  had  a  little  chat  with  you, 
through  the  instrumentality  of  my  pen — and  it  has  had 
some  faint  semblance  of  an  interview  of  half  an  hour, 
when  we  should  naturally  touch  upon  a  variety  of  topics, 
without  thinking  of  discussing  any  of  them." 

Birthday  reflections.  "  Feb.  2,  1821.  I  desire  to  bless 
God  that  there  have  been  some  instances  of  special 
attention  among  my  people,  and  that  some  have  hopefully 
experienced  a  work  of  saving  grace  on  their  hearts  during 
the  past  year.  This  appears  the  more  wonderful  to  me, 
as  I  feel  conscious  of  great  unfaithfulness  in  my  work, 
and  have  been  often  ready  to  consider  myself  as  standing 
in  the  way,  of  the  descent  of  blessings.  I  have  many 
outward  trials,  but  none  worthy  of  being  compared  with 
my  deserts,  and  none  so  great  as  those  which  have  been 
occasioned  by  my  own  departures  from  God.  Sometimes 
God  has  brought  me  to  the  footstool,  so  that  I  have  been 
compelled  to  cry  for  mercy."    *    *  * 

"March  13,  1821. 
*    *    *    "You  inform  us  that  B.  has  commenced 
preaching.     O   that   he   might   make   an  evangelical 


94 


MEMOIR  OF 


preacher — an  able  defender  of  the  great  doctrines  of  the 
cross — an  instrument  of  winning  souls  to  Christ.  I  have 
much  anxiety  respecting  him,  lest  he  may  preach  another 
gospel.  But  did  you  ever  read  '  Scott's  Force  of  Truth'? 
I  wish  B.  would  give  it  an  attentive  perusal.  God  can  do 
with  him  as  he  did  with  Mr.  S.  He  can  make  him  love 
the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 

"  I  cannot  describe  to  you  the  anxieties  I  have  felt  for 
my  son,  who  is  a  preacher,  both  before  and  since  his 
ordination.  How  responsible  is  the  place  of  one  who 
stands  as  the  guide  of  souls  !  " 

"  Feb.  2,  1822.  This  day,  I  have  renewed  occasion  to 
call  upon  my  soul  and  all  within  me,  to  bless  and  praise 
the  Lord  for  his  numerous  benefits  to  an  ungrateful 
creature.  He  has  preserved  my  life,  and  continued  my 
health  and  strength  another  year.  It  has  been  a  year  of 
very  great  mercies.  Blessed  be  God,  that  I  have  witnessed 
another  precious  harvest  season  among  the  dear  people  of 
my  charge,  surpassing  any  other  season  during  my  min- 
istry, excepting  one  with  which  we  were  favored,  the  year 
of  my  ordination.  From  the  month  of  June,  to  the 
present  time,  I  have  attended  religious  meetings  nearly 
every  day,  which  have  been  remarkably  thronged.  I  have 
reason  to  believe  that  great  numbers  of  this  people  have 
been  convinced  of  the  evil  of  sin,  and  have  given  them- 
selves to  Christ.  More  than  a  hundred  have  expressed  a 
hope  that  they  have  passed  from  death  unto  life.  Fifty- 
four,  of  different  ages,  united  with  the  church  in  one  day. 
This  was  to  me  an  overwhelming  sight.  I  desire  to 
ascribe  this  work  wholly  to  the  sovereign  mercy  of  God, 
and  to  consider  myself  an  unworthy  instrument— an  im- 
perfect creature,  as  much  dependent  on  the  mercy  of  God, 
as  the  vilest  soul  under  my  charge.  The  work  is  still  in 
progress. 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


95 


"  Amidst  all  my  mercies,  I  have  been  visited  with  some 
very  trying  providences,  especially  the  dangerous  sickness 
of  my  son,  in  Ohio,  and  my  not  being  able  to  visit  him, 
in  his  afflictions,  on  account  of  the  distance.  My  soul 
has  found  no  quiet  but  in  entire  submission  to  the  will  of 
God. — I  have  also  had  a  trial  in  parting  with  my  daughter 
Harriet,  who  is  placed  at  the  head  of  a  family  three 
hundred  miles  from  me.  She  was  very  dear  to  me,  and 
was  almost  every  thing  I  could  desire  in  a  child. 

"  I  have  to  record  a  greater  trial  than  either  of  these  ; 
that  my  own  children  at  home,  while  so  many  of  the  chil- 
dren of  my  neighbors  are  called  into  the  kingdom,  should 
remain  secure  in  their  sins.  But,  God  is  just ;  and  I 
desire  to  commit  rnyself  and  all  my  children,  with  every 
other  interest,  to  his  disposal.  Enter  into  thy  rest,  O  my 
soul  !  " 

«  Feb.  28,  1822. 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  I  thank  you  for  your  friendly  letter  by  Mr.  P.  It 
is  true,  as  was  stated  to  you,  that  the  '  Lord  has  appeared 
in  his  glory,  by  building  up  Zion  '  in  this,  and  many  other 
towns  in  this  county.  The  work  of  divine  grace,  in 
turning  open  scoffers  and  proud  moralists  from  the  error 
of  their  ways,  has  been  very  wonderful.  Many  of  my 
people  who  lived  at  a  great  distance  from  God,  and  who 
seemed  to  be  entirely  unaffected  with  their  condition, 
have  been  brought  to  a  solemn  pause,  and  have  appeared 
to  contemplate  "their  ingratitude,  their  vileness,  and  their 
danger,  with  deep  interest.  Convicted  of  their  perishing 
condition,  many  ,have  felt  themselves  compelled  to  seek 
refuge  in  Christ,  and  are  now  rejoicing  in  hope. 

"  The  first  appearance  of  this  work  of  grace  was  in  the 
church.  A  few  members  began  to  think  of  their  own 
heedless  ways,  and  inquire  one  of  another  what  they 


96 


MEMOIR  OF 


ought  to  do,  to  promote  the  salvation  of  their  impenitent 
families  and  neighbors,  whom  they  saw  living  in  carnal 
security,  and  for  no  better  purpose,  than  to  fill  up  the 
measure  of  their  inicjuity.  In  the  month  of  July  last,  we 
instituted  a  weekly  meeting  of  the  church  for  prayer, 
which  has  been  very  fully  attended  from  that  time  to  the 
present,  and  with  a  fervor  of  spirit  heretofore  uncommon 
among  us.  I  proposed  to  the  church,  soon  after  this 
meeting  was  instituted,  that  we  should  accompany  prayer 
with  some  special  efforts,  and  that  we  should  speak  to  the 
people  on  the  concerns  of  their  souls.  A  committee  of 
the  church  was  appointed  to  visit  every  family  in  the  town, 
and  call  the  attention  of  the  people  to  the  neglected 
subject  of  vital  religion.  This  labor  of  love  was  per- 
formed in  the  month  of  August,  and  was  followed  Avith 
very  considerable  excitement.  The  impression  made  on 
the  minds  of  many,  was  this: — the  church  are  really  in 
earnest,  and  if  they  have  such  a  concern  for  our  eternal 
welfare,  we  certainly  ought  to  have  a  concern  for  ourselves. 
These  religious  visits  have  been  made  to  every  family 
in  the  town  four  times,  and  usually  the  service  has  been 
performed  in  one  day,  by  twenty-eight  members.  They 
have  prayed  in  almost  every  house  each  time.  To  facili- 
tate the  business,  I  have  given  public  notice  of  the  day  of 
visiting,  that  the  people  might  calculate  to  be  at  home. 
We  observed  a  day  of  public  humiliation  and  prayer  in 
September,  which  called  all  the  people  together,  so  that 
our  large  house  was  filled  ;  and  we  had  another  such  day, 
the  present  month,  which  was  equally  well  attended.  The 
solemn  stillness  of  our  assemblies  on  the  Sabbath,  and  on 
other  occasions,  has  been  very  noticeable,  and  remarkable  ; 
evincing  that  the  Lord  was  indeed  present.  My  labors, 
as  you  may  suppose,  have  been  abundant  by  night  and  by 
day.  More  than  a  hundred  persons  of  different  ages, 
exhibit  some  evidence  of  having  passed  from  death  unto 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


97 


life,  and  fifty-four  have  already  united  themselves  with  the 
church.  A  number  of  striking  instances  of  a  change  of 
feelings  and  views,  have  occurred  within  a  few  days.  The 
genuineness  of  this  work  is  to  be  tested  by  the  future 
lives  and  conversation  of  the  subjects.  The  Saviour  has 
apprised  us  of  this,  in  the  following  passage :  '  By  their 
fruits  ye  shall  know  them.'  Of  one  truth  I  feel  assured, 
that  to  God  I  ought  to  ascribe  all  the  glory.    *    *  * 

"  My  own  children  have  been  passed  by  at  this  interest- 
ing time. 

"  Though  we  are  favored  in  this  part  of  the  land  with 
great  blessings,  yet  I  am  looking  forward  to  a  time  of 
great  dissensions  among  us.  The  churches  in  Massachu- 
setts will  be  violently  assailed  by  the  enemy  in  a  garb 
something  new,  but  Zion's  God  reigneth. 

"  From  your  old  friend." 

"Juhj  25,  1822. 

"  Dear  Friend, 

"  We  have  been  in  a  state  of  great  anxiety  for  many 
months,  on  account  of  the  sickness  of  our  son  in  the  State 
of  Ohio.  He  has  at  length  reached  his  native  place,  and 
has  performed  a  journey  of  five  hundred  miles  on  horse- 
back, in  a  very  feeble  condition.  This  he  accomplished  in 
eight  weeks,  riding  slowly,  and  making  frequent  stops  for 
several  days  in  different  places.  I  had  expected  that  I  never 
again  should  have  seen  that  child,  but  a  merciful  God  has 
brpught  him  under  the  parental  roof  His  trial  was  great  in 
leaving  a  united  church,  and  an  affectionate  people,  among 
whom  he  had  successfully  labored  for  three  years,  and  for 
whom  he  had  strength  to  do  no  more.  He  is  attended 
with  a  cough  and  great  weakness  at  the  lungs,  yet  he  is 
able  to  ride  abroad,  when  the  weather  is  pleasant.  I  view 
his  case  as  being  very  critical,  and  yet  am  not  without 
hope,  that  a  merciful  God  may  restore  him  to  health.  I 
9 


98 


MEMOIR  OF 


beg  an  interest  in  your  prayers  for  him  and  for  hisparents. 
We  all  need  submission  to  the  will  of  God.  You  have  a 
large  family  of  children,  who  are  beginning  to  scatter,  and 
can  the  more  easily  ent6r  into  our  trials.  How  comfort- 
ing are  these  words  of  the  blessed  Saviour,  '  My  grace  is 
sufficient  for  thee.' 

"  We  have  been  favored  with  an  interesting  season  of 
the  outpourings  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  the  church  is 
greatly  enlarged.  I  fear  the  harvest  is  past,  and  if  so,  I 
know  that  many  are  left  out  of  the  kingdom.  None  of  > 
my  own  children  have  shared  in  this  work.  This  has 
been  a  great  trial  to  me. 

"Please  write  soon,  and  confer  an  obligation  on  your 
friend." 

Birthday  reflections.  "  Feb.  2,  1823.  Having  obtained 
help  of  God,  I  continue  to  this  day,  and  am  suffered  to  be 
not  only  a  prisoner  of  hope,  but  an  ambassador  of  Jesus 
Christ,  and  the  pastor  of  the  church  committed  to  my  care 
more  than  thirty  years  ago.  When  I  review  my  life,  now 
protracted  to  a  period  quite  beyond  the  meridian  of  the 
days  of  man,  I  cannot  reflect  upon  the  patience  and  for- 
bearance of  God,  but  with  astonishment.  I  desire  to  call 
upon  my  soul,  and  all  that  is  within  me,  to  bless  and  praise 
the  Lord,  whose  mercy  has  been  extended  to  me  another 
year,  and  that  I  have  been  made  to  differ  from  so  many  of 
my  friends  and  acquaintances,  who  have  been  summoned 
into  the  eternal  world.  O  that  the  Lord  would  bless  me 
with  a  grateful,  humble,  and  penitent  heart.  Why  should 
a  creature  so  unworthy,  so  constantly  prone  to  dishonor 
God,  and  to  abuse  his  mercies,  be  suffered  to  continue  so 
long  in  the  highly  responsible  places  of  a  parent,  and  a 
minister  of  Jesus  Christ  ?  To  recount  all  the  mercies  of 
the  Lord,  bestowed  on  me  the  year  past,  would  be  to  write 
a  volume.    He  has  blessed  me  with  uniform  health,  so 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


99 


that  my  public  labors  have  not  in  a  single  instance  been 
inten-upted.  The  religious  attention  among  my  people, 
which  was  so  general  in  1821,  has  been  continued  during 
the  whole  of  the  succeeding  year,  and  has  not  entirely 
subsided  at  this  time.  Almost  a  hundred  persons,  and 
the  most  of  them  from  among  the  youth,  have  publicly 
professed  their  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  This  gives 
me  reason  to  hope,  that  this  branch  of  the  church  may 
live,  after  my  decease. 

"  The  Lord  has  not  suffered  me  to  go  through  the  year 
without  heavy  afflictions.  He  has  laid  his  hand  upon  my 
eldest  son,  who  entered  the  ministry  with  uncommonly 
fair  prospects,  but  whose  health  is  now  so  impaired  that 
he  can  do  nothing  for  his  people  nor  for  himself.  During 
the  whole  year,  both  while  in  the  State  of  Ohio,  and  since 
his  return  to  my  house,  seven  months  ago,  I  have  been 
afflicted  in  his  afflictions.  Not  a  day  has  passed,  when  I 
have  not  felt  myself  to  be  under  the  rod.  I  have  also  bur- 
dens to  endure  on  account  of  my  other  children,  four  of 
whom  have  now  gone  from  under  my  care.  One,  T.,  has 
narrowly  escaped  from  instant  death.  The  Lord  has  been 
teaching  me,  that  I  must  not  place  my  dependence  on  my 
children.  He  claims  them  as  his  own.  And  now,  O  my 
God  !  I  resign  them  ail  into  thine  hands,  to  be  disjxysed 
of  as  thine  infinite  wisdom  shall  direct,  for  time  and  for 
eternity,  humbly  praying  thee  to  increase  my  faith,  and 
prepare  me  for  thy  coming  and  thy  kingdom.  Amen." 

"  Feb.  19,  1823. 

"  Dear  Friends, 

"  Your  very  welcome  letter  came  safely  to  hand,  and 
was  rejoicing  to  my  heart.  I  will  not  imitate  you  in 
delaying  the  acknowledgment  of  so  acceptable  a  favor. 
The  copious  extract  from  your  son  S.'s  letter,  was  truly 
refreshing ;  far  more  so  than  to  have  heard  he  had  been 


100 


MEMOIR  OF 


brought  into  the  possession  of  annual  millions.  If  his 
feelings  accord  with  his  expressions,  we  may  charitably 
hope  he  has  chosen  the  good  part  which  will  never  be 
taken  away  from  him.  And  how  can  yon,  the  parents, 
who  love  your  children,  be  sufficiently  thankful  for  this 
token  of  divine  mercy  to  your  first  born?  I  was  particu- 
larly pleased  to  notice  the  decided  manner  in  which  he 
bore  testimony  to  the  great  truths  of  the  gospel,  without 
seeming  to  have  any  intention  of  doing  it.    I  see  he  is 

interested  in  the  work  of  God's  Holy  Spirit  in   -, 

and  expresses  a  hope  that  his  wife  is  a  partaker  of  spiritual 
blessings.  I  had  entertained  fears  that  he  would  fall  in 
with  the  popular- errors  in  that  region  of  country,  and  be 
left  to  deny  the  Lord  that  bought  him.  Now  I  hope  he 
will  build  on  the  Rock  of  Ages — the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  be  a  pillar  in  the  church.  To  his  brothers  and  sisters, 
his  letters,  if  they  breathe  the  spirit  of  what  I  saw  from 
his  pen,  must  be  powerful  preaching  indeed." 

"  jYov.  18,  1823. 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  I  have  just  finished  the  perusal  of  your  kind  letter 
of  the  7th  inst.,  received  to-day,  and  will  not  suffer  a 
single  mail  to  pass  without  forwarding  my  acknowledg- 
ment of  the  favor.  I  thank  you  for  the  spirit  of  friendship 
which  it  breathes,  and  for  your  promptness  in  complying 
with  my  request.  How  little  do  we  know  the  designs  of 
Jehovah  I  and  how  incompetent  are  we  to  choose  for  our 
friends  or  for  ourselves.  Wben  I  arrived  at  O.,  and  found 
you  there  a  laborer,  ready  to  enter  that  part  of  the  great 
vineyard  of  our  Lord,  I  felt  something  as  Sarhuel  the 
prophet  did,  when  Jesse  presented  his  eldest  son  to  him. 
Such  were  the  indications  of  Providence,  in  directing  you 
to  that  place,  at  that  interesting  time,  that  I  fondly  cher- 
ished the  hope,  that  you  was  designed  to  be  a  great  bles- 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


101 


sing  to  that  people.  But  it  appears  from  your  letter,  that 
the  Lord  hath  not  chosen  you  for  that  purpose,  for  you  are 
about  to  close  your  labors  in  O.  I  still  hope,  however, 
that  your  labor  has  not  been  wholly  in  vain.  The  seed 
you  have  sown,  may,  in  many  instances,  have  fallen  on 
good  ground,  and  the  happy  consequences  may  be  dis- 
closed in  the  great  day. 

"  I  feel  tenderly  for  you,  and  also  for  the  people  who 
have  been  favored  with  your  labors.  The  Lord,  I  trust, 
will  direct  you  to  some  other  part  of  his  vineyard,  and  I 
earnestly  pray  that  he  may  provide  one  to  take  your  place, 
who  may  be  the  dependent  and  humble,  yet  honored  in- 
strument of  building  up  the  broken  walls  of  that  part  of 
Zion. 

"  The  death  of  ,  was  truly  affecting  and  awful ; 

but  the  will  of  the  Lord  concerning  her  is  done.  At  her 
funeral  you  was  called  to  preach  on  a  trying  occasion,  and 
I  hope  God  enabled  you  to  be  faithful  to  her  surviving 
friends  and  acquaintances.  The  thought  has  occurred  to 
me  that  in  selecting  the  words  from  which  you  spoke, 
you  might  not  have  been  altogether  judicious.  The  text 
of  a  funeral  sermon  is  long  remembered  by  mourning 
relatives,  who  retain  not  the  weighty  instructions  drawn 
from  it  and  ably  enforced  by  the  preacher.  I  make  this 
remark,  without  knowing,  or  having  any  intimation,  that 
you  gave  the  least  offence  on  that  trying  occasion.  '  Fcr- 
bum  sapienti  sat  est.'  " 

"Jan.  27,  1824. 

"  My  dear  Sir, 

"  You  have  now  to  cultivate  a  smaller  portion  of  the 
great  vineyard  of  our  Lord  than  you  did  have,  and  I  hope, 
through  divine  grace  assisting  you,  you  will  cultivate  it 
faithfully,  and  be  the  honored  instrument  of  rendering 
every  part  of  it  fruitful.  I  presume  you  will  find  enough 
9  * 


102 


MEMOIR  OF 


to  occupy  your  mind,  and  to  call  forth  all  the  exertions  of 
which  you  are  capable.  You  cannot  fail  of  deriving  some 
benefit  from  past  experience.  The  recollection  of  your 
own  deficiencies,  imperfections  and  want  of  wisdom,  as 
the  pastor  of  a  church,  I  hope  will  influence  you  to  seek 
diligently  and  fervently  for  a  fresh  unction  from  the  Holy 
One ;  that  you  may  be  inspired  with  zeal,  and  be  guided 
from  on  high,  in  all  your  intercourse  with  the  people  of 
your  charge.  If  you  would  be  useful  to  your  people,  you 
must  love  them,  and  you  must  bear  them  on  your  heart 
before  God.  You  must  make  the  impression  deep  and 
abiding  on  tlieir  minds,  that  you  seek  their  highest  and 
eternal  good.  And  if  you  are  yourself  conscious  of  aim- 
ing at  this,  it  will  help  you  wonderfully  in  your  work,  and 
render  it  agreeable,  however  arduous. 

"  But  why  should  I,  though  your  senior,  who  liave  been 
so  awfully  deficient  in  discharging  the  duties  of  a  minister, 
attempt  to  give  counsel  to  another?  I  forbear  to  add  any 
thing  more  on  this  subject,  only  that  I  hope  God  will  make 
you  more  devoted,  more  humble,  more  skilful  in  handling 
the  word  of  life,  and  more  successful  in  your  work,  than 
ever  I  have  been. 

"We  have  some  encouraging  things  among  us,  especially 
in  the  church — more  appearance  of  a  spirit  of  prayer — 
more  action,  and  more  concern  for  the  welfare  of  Zion. 
We  have  had  a  season  of  special  prayer,  and  designated 
three  brethren  to  each  of  the  school-houses  in  town, 
making  twenty-one,  who  were  to  meet  the  people  in  the 
various  districts  at  the  same  hour.  The  meetings  were 
interesting  and  solemn.  Remember  us  in  all  your  ap- 
proaches to  the  throne  of  grace,  and  forget  not  my 
afflicted  son  Alvan. 

"That  the  Lord  may  bless  you,  and  make  you  a  rich 
blessing  to  your  charge,  is  the  prayer  of  your  friend  and 
fellow-laborer." 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


103 


Birthday  reflections.  "Feb.  2,  1824.  The  goodness 
and  mercy  of  my  heavenly  Benefactor  have  been  extended 
to  me  and  my  family  another  year,  of  which  I  here  make 
a  record  as  a  monument  to  his  prai.se.  Through  hi5 
patience  and  forbearance,  my  healtii  and  reason  are  con- 
tinued, and  I  desire  to  praise  him,  that  my  labors,  as  a 
minister,  have  not  been  interrupted  by  sickness  during 
the  year.  Every  Sabbath,  I  have  been  permitted  to  go  to 
the  sanctuary,  and  to  proclaim  to  my  people  the  unsearch- 
able riches  of  Jesus  Christ.  I  have  also  been  allowed  to 
attend  not  less  than  three  meetings  each  week,  beside  my 
more  public  labors  on  the  Sabbath.  Though  it  has  not 
been  a  year  distinguished  for  the  effusions  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  upon  my  people,  yet  we  have  been  favored  with 
peace  in  the  church  and  town.  Several  have  been  added 
to  the  church. 

"  The  Lord  has  enabled  me  to  perform  a  number  of 
journies,  and  to  visit  different  parts  of  his  great  vineyard. 
I  have  been  brought  under  great  obligations  to  praise  him, 
for  granting  me  opportunity  to  visit  my  children,  at 
Ogden,  and  to  encourage  the  feeble  church  in  that  place. 
By  request,  I  preached  at  the  dedication  of  their  new 
meeting-house,  administered  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's 
supper,  baptized  a  number  of  children,  and  among  others, 
a  child  of  my  daughter.  This  visit,  and  my  many  labors 
among  the  people,  were  peculiarly  interesting  to  me.  On 
this  journey  I  had  the  satisfaction  to  meet  many  dear 
Christian  friends,  whom  I  had  not  seen  for  many  years. 

"I  am  yet  afflicted  in  the  afflictions  of  my  eldest  son, 
who  has  never  seen  a  well  day  for  two  years  and  a  half, 
and  whose  labors  among  his  people  have  been  entirely 
suspended.  A  greater  trial  than  this  T  have  experienced 
— that  so  many  of  my  children  appear  to  be  strangers  to 
a  life  of  godliness,  notwithstanding  their  many  privileges. 
And  yet  I  desire  to  bless  God  for  the  restraints  he  lays 


104 


MEMOIR  OF 


upon  them,  and  that  they  are  decent  and  regular  in  their 
external  deportment.  May  the  Lord  give  me  grace  to  be 
wise  in  all  my  relations,  and  faithful  even  unto  death,  and 
to  him  shall  all  the  praise  and  glory  be  given." 

"Mi?/ 14,  1824. 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  I  rejoice  to  hear  that  the  churches  in  your  vicinity 
are  blessed  witli  seasons  of  refresliing  from  the  presence 
of  the  Lord,  and  that  there  is  an  increase  of  feeling 
among  the  members  of  the  church  with  which  you  are 
connected.  May  the  Lord  warm  your  own  heart,  and 
make  you  wise  in  winning  souls  to  Christ.  Of  nothing 
do  we,  as  ministers  of  the  gospel,  stand  in  more  need,  than 
to  be  cured  of  our  self-importance.  Relying  too  much 
on  our  own  strength  and  wisdom,  we  do  not  make  suf- 
ficient account  of  the  Saviour.  We  are"  not  enough  in 
earnest  when  we  attempt  to  press  upon  our  people  the 
importance  of  believing  in  him,  as  their  only  hope. 
Neither  are  we  sufficiently  clear  and  pungent  in  laying 
open  to  them  their  perishing  condition.  I  fear,  that  we 
are  aiming  and  studying  too  much,  perhaps  insensibly,  to 
be  accounted  acceptable  and  popular  preachers. 

"  E.  has  informed  us,  and  the  same  has  been  repeatedly 
confirmed  by  letters,  that  Harriet's  health  is  very  feeble. 
Her  symptoms  are  truly  alarming.  She  has  a  severe 
cough,  attended  with  general  debility.  We  hope  the 
Lord  will  be  merciful  and  spare  her ;  but  we  are  entirely 
ignorant  of  his  purposes,  and  also  of  what  is,  on  the 
whole,  best.    My  only  refuge  is,  submission  to  his  will. 

"  Alvan's  flesh  and  strength  are  gradually  wasting ;  yet 
he  rides  more  than  he  has  done,  and  ventures  further  from 
home.  In  his  case,  we  have  a  long  continued  chastise- 
ment from  the  rod  of  our  heavenly  Father,  but  I  desire 
to  feel  that  the  strokes  are  lighter  than  our  iniquities 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


105 


deserve.  Pray  for  us.  Pray  fervently  for  my  family. 
What  a  blessing  it  would  be  to  have  all  my  children 
brought  into  the  kingdom  ! 

"  Write  often,  and  let  us  know  your  joys  and  sorrows." 

"May  27,  182i. 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  Among  my  people,  even  among  the  members  of 
the  church,  there  is  but  little  religious  feeling  at  the 
present  time.  We  are  all  in  a  luke-warm  state,  and 
witness  the  prevalence  of  sin  with  criminal  indifference. 
Yet  we  are  suffered  to  live  in  as  much  tranquillity,  as  can 
be  expected  in  such  a  state  of  things,  and  where  the  fear 
of  God  is  so  generally  cast  off. 

"  Let  any  people  have  their  own  chosen  way,  and  they 
will  soon  deprive  themselves  of  all  the  means  which  God 
has  appointed  for  their  spiritual  and  eternal  good.  IIow 
thankful  we  ought  to  be,  for  the  restraints  which  are  laid 
upon  us,  and  for  the  patience  of  God  towards  such  proud 
and  rebellious  creatures  ! 

"  I  hope  it  is  a  time  of  religious  prosperity  with  you, 
and  that  no  roots  of  bitterness  are  springing  up  in  the 
church,  or  in  your  society.  I  perceive,  by  your  letters, 
that  you  are  not  exactly  suited  with  the  preaching  of  your 
minister,  and  I  have  had  some  fears,  lest  your  feelings 
may  influence  you  to  prevent  his  being  so  useful  to  you 
as  he  might  be.  I  never  saw  the  man,  and  know  very 
little  more  of  him,  than  what  I  have  learned  from  you, 
I  know,  however,  that  like  all  others  who  enter  into  the 
ministry,  he  is  an  earthen  vessel — an  imperfect  man,  and 
falls  far  short  of  the  standard,  which  you  find  in  the  word 
of  God.  But  he  is  your  minister,  placed  over  you  in  the 
Lord,  and  though  he  may  not  be  in  all  respects  what  you 
wish  him  to  be,  yet  let  him  be  as  useful  to  you  and  to 
others  as  possible.    Pray  for  him  daily,  that  he  may  have 


106 


MEMOIR  OF  ALVAN  HYDE. 


a.  fresh  unction  from  the  Holy  One,  and  an  increase  of 
divine  light.  Tliough  lie  is  an  imperfect  instrument,  pray 
fervently  for  him,  that  his  labors  may  be  blessed,  and  that 
through  him,  God  may  be  glorified  in  the  salvation  of 
sinners.  You  will  excuse  these  thoughts  from  a  friend. 
We  are  all  liable  to  err,  and  ought  to  be  thankful  for  any 
cautions  which  are  suitably  administered  to  us. 

"Through  divine  mercy,  we  are  all  yet  alive.  My 
eldest  son  remains  in  a  very  feeble  state,  and  is  less 
capable  of  e.vertion  than  he  was  a  year  ago.  We  need 
the  prayers  of  all  our  Christian  friends.  I  trust  you  re- 
member us  and  him,  and  all  my  family,  in  some  of  your 
approaches  to  the  throne  of  grace." 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


HIS  AFFLICTIONS   IN  THE  DEATH  QF  HIS  CHILDREN  ALVAN, 
HARRIET,  LUCY,  AND  CHAUNCEY. 

In  the  preceding  extracts,  we  have  had  illdstrations  of 
the  parental  feelings  of  the  writer  of  the  letters  and 
birthday  reflections,  while  the  rod  of  God  was  held  over 
him.  We  have  heard  him  speak  of  his  being  afflicted 
in  the  afflictions  of  his  children,  earnestly  imploring  his 
friends  to  pray  for  him  and  for  his  family,  and  saying  that 
his  only  refuge  was  submission  to  the  will  of  God.  We 
have  seen  with  what  fervor  he  dedicated  himself  and  his 
children  to  God,  acknowledging  that  his  children  were 
not  his  own,  and  renewing  the  dedication  of  them  from 
year  to  year,  with  devout  aspirations  for  the  influence  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  to  be  his  guide,  and  ^prepare  him  for  his 
holy  will. 

In  the  extracts  which  are  to  follow,  we  have  opportu- 
nity to  learn  how  he  appeared  when  the  rod  actually  fell 
upon  his  family,  and  the  children  for  whom  he  had 
prayed  so  often,  and  whom  he  loved  so  tenderly,  were 
taken  away.  The  first  is  an  extract  from  his  diary,  which 
is  without  date,  but  probably  written  near  the  close  of  the 
year  1824.    It  is  as  follows  : 


108 


MEMOIR  OF 


"  I  here  record  some  peculiar  dispensations  of  divine 
Providence  towards  me  and  my  family,  in  removing,  by 
death,  two  of  my  children  in  the  short  space  of  nine 
weeks.    Having  been  repeatedly  informed  of  the  low  and 
declining  state  of  my  daughter's  health  at  Ogden,  and  of 
her  strong  desire  to  come  home,  with  the  hope  of  recover- 
ing her  health,  1  had  many  consultations  with  my  family, 
respecting  the  duties  we  owed  to  so  dear  a  child.  Our 
eldest  son  had  long  been  languishing  at  home,  and  our 
eldest  daughter  was  now  declining   at  a  place  three 
hundred  miles  distant  from  us.    The  result  of  our  many 
anxious  consultations  was,  that  I,  with  my  daughter  Lucy, 
should  go  to  Ogden,  and  accompany  her  sister  to  her 
native  place,  if  she  should  be  able  to  journey.  Accord- 
ingly, on  Monday,  the  9th  of  August,  1824,  we  took  the 
stage  at  my  door,  and  reached  Ogden  on  Friday  the  13th ; 
hoping  and  expecting  that  my  son  would  survive,  and  that 
we  should  see  him  again,  as  he  was  able  then  to  ride  out; 
but  it  was  otherwise  ordered.    He  died  suddenly,  on 
Thursday  the  12th,  the  third  day  after  our  departure. 
This  opened  a  most  trying  scene  to  my  wife  and  children 
at  home,  from  which  God,  in  his  providence,  had  separated 
me  and  Lucy.    The  kind  attention  and  sympathy  of 
neighbors  and  friends  were  manifestetl  to  my  afflicted 
family  in  my  absence,  which  I  record  as  a  new  token  of 
the  goodness  of  God.    At  the  funeral  of  my  son,  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Shepard  of  Lenox  preached  a  sermon  from  1  Tim. 
iv.  7,  S.    A  number  of  my  brethren  in  the  ministry  were 
present  on  the  mournful  occasion.    Six  of  my  children, 
viz.,  Joseph,  AVilliam,  Edward,  Chauncey,  Theodore,  and 
Alexander,  with  my  wife,  followed  this  son  to  the  grave, 
while  I  was  ignorant  of  the  bitter  cup  of  which  they  were 
all  made  to  drink.    Nor  had  I  any  knowledge  of  the 
event,  until  I  had  been  with  my  sick  daughter,  at  Ogden, 
one  week,  whom  I  found  extremely  enfeebled  by  disease. 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


109 


The  tidings  of  the  death  of  my  son,  transmitted  by  mail, 
was  overwhelming  to  me  and  my  children,  as  our  sorrows 
before  were  seemingly  as  great  as  our  frail  natures  could 
endure.  God,  I  trust,  was  our  refuge  and  strength,  and  a 
present  help  in  this  day  of  trouble.  My  dear  daughter 
Harriet,  who  was  then  unable  to  walk,  on  being  told  that 
her  brother  was  dead,  fell  into  tears,  but  immediately 
checked  herself,  saying,  'I  must  submit  to  the  will  of 
God.' — Her  desire  to  commence  the  journey  to  Lee  was 
too  strong  to  be  resisted,  though  repeatedly  told  that  the 
issue  must  be  considered  as  doubtful.  She  said  she  was 
prepared  to  die  by  the  way,  if  it  should  be  the  will  of 
God  ;  but  still  her  hopes  and  expectations  were  strong, 
that  she  should  reach  her  father's  house. 

"  On  Monday,  the  23d  of  August,  having  united  with 
my  children  in  prayer,  and  committed  ourselves  and  our 
great  undertaking,  to  the  direction  and  disposal  of  God,  I 
set  out  with  my  sick  daughter,  her  husband  and  child, 
and  my  daughter  Lucy,  and  entered  a  packet-boat  at 
Ogden.  Never,  on  any  occasion,  was  my  mind  so  loaded 
with  anxiety.  Towards  the  close  of  the  following  day, 
Harriet's  nerves  were  so  affected  with  the  motion  of  the 
boat,  and  the  passing  of  locks,  that  she  became  deranged, 
and  we  were  compelled  to  go  on  shore  among  strangers. 
This  was  a  scene  which  I  never  can  describe  to  any 
person.  Here,  at  the  distance  of  eighty  miles  from  her 
home,  and  two  hundred  and  twenty  from  my  own  home, 
I  expected  to  part  with  this  dear  child,  and  to  seek  for  her 
a  grave  among  strangers.  But  God  was  better  to  us  than 
our  fears.  After  three  days,  she  so  far  revived,  that  we 
resumed  our  journey  and  took  passage  in  another  boat ; 
and  finally,  through  a  merciful  Providence,  we  were  all 
brought  home  in  the  space  of  about  ten  days  from  the 
time  we  left  Ogden.  This  was  peculiarly  gratifying  to 
her,  as  she  could  have  the  daily  attention  of  her  parents. 
10 


110 


MEMOIR  OF 


At  times,  we  indulged  some  faint  liopes  of  her  recovery ; 
but  God  in  his  providence  had  otherwise  ordered.  Seeing 
this  daughter  wasting  away  with  a  nervous  consumption, 
which  rendered  her  incapable  of  enduring  much  con- 
versation, or  even  of  seeing  many  friends,  we  were  truly 
brought  into  the  furnace  of  affliction.  Her  nerves  were 
often  so  irritable  that  she  could  hear  only  small  portions 
of  God's  word  at  a  time.  But  she  had  found  a  resting- 
place  for  her  soul  many  years  before ;  and  when  reminded 
of  the  all-sufficiency  of  Christ,  and  of  the  wisdom  of  God's 
government,  she  was  calm.  Often  was  she  heard  to  say, 
'  I  must  submit  to  the  will  of  my  heavenly  Father.'  Her 
life  was  prolonged  in  this  state  of  bodily  suffering  more 
than  seven  weeks  after  she  was  brought  home.  In  some 
of  her  last  days,  there  was  some  abatement  of  her  nervous 
affections,  which  enabled  her  to  see  a  few  of  her  friends, 
and  to  converse  more.  Persuaded  myself  that  I  must 
soon  part  with  this  dearly  beloved  child,  I  seated  myself 
by  lier  side,  and  asked  her  if  she  felt  divine  support  under 
her  great  trials.  She  calmly  replied,  '  I  think,  if  I  am 
not  deceived,  I  have  an  anchor  to  my  soul,  both  sure  and 
steadfast.  I  think  I  can  give  up  myself,  my  husband,  my 
child,  my  parents,  and  all  that  is  dear  to  me.'  These 
were  some  of  her  last  words.  On  Thursday  morning, 
October  14,  she  died  without  a  struggle  or  groan,  being 
the  same  day  of  the  week,  and  nearly  the  same  hour  of 
the  day,  that  her  brother  died.  This  was  an  over- 
whelming scene  to  myself  and  family.  So  unexpected 
was  the  event  at  that  time,  that  we  were  almost  alone 
when  her  immortal  spirit  took  its  flight.  And  to  record 
what  was  peculiarly  trying,  Mr.  C,  the  husband  of  my 
daughter,  was  absent ;  nor  did  he  reach  my  afflicted 
family  until  after  her  interment.  On  Saturday,  Oct.  16, 
her  funeral  was  attended  by  a  great  concourse  of  people, 
when  a  sermon,  adapted  to  the  occasion,  was  preached  by 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


Ill 


the  Rev.  Dr.  Sliepard  of  Lenox,  from  Prov.  xiv.  32 — 
'  The  righteous  hath  hope  in  his  death.'  This  was  a 
seasonable  and  consoling  sermon,  under  our  repeated  and 
heavy  trials  and  bereavements.  I  have  now  parted  with 
two  children,  who  were  settled  in  life,  and  who  had  fair 
prospects  of  being  useful  in  the  world.  They  were  both 
professors  of  religion,  and  had  often  accompanied  me  to 
the  sacramental  table.  I  am  now  left  without  a  child  who 
is  visibly  in  covenant  with  God.  May  the  Lord  sanctify 
these  peculiar  dispensations  of  his  providence  to  me  and 
my  companion,  and  to  niy  surviving  children ;  and  may 
they  all  be  inclined  to  enlist  under  the  banner  of  Christ, 
that  I  may  yet  have  the  unspeakable  joy  to  see  them 
walking  in  the  truth." 

The  extract  from  his  diary  above,  was  written  some 
months  after  the  events  transpired.  In  a  letter  to  his 
wife,  dated  at  Ogden,  immediately  after  receiving  intelli- 
gence of  his  son's  death,  we  see  the  heart  of  a  Christian 
parent  while  in  the  furnace  of  affliction. 

"  Ogden,  Aug.  21,  1824. 

"  My  dear  and  afflicted  Wife, 

"  Yesterday's  mail  brought  me  a  letter  from  our 
friend  Dr.  B.,  which  announced  to  me  the  heavy  tidings 
of  the  death  of  our  first-born  son  and  child,  with  whose 
trials  we  have  so  long  been  conversant.  It  was  almost 
too  much  for  my  frail  nature  to  sustain ;  but  I  trust  God 
has  been  my  help  and  supporter,  in  this  furnace  of  afflic- 
tion. I  had  strongly  hoped  that  I  should  again  see  that 
dear  son,  though  my  fears  and  anxieties  were  very  great, 
when  I  left  you,  and  him  in  your  care.  It  is  a  mysterious 
Providence  which  carried  Lucy  and  myself  away  from  a 
distressing  scene,  which  was  so  soon  to  open  to  you  and 
the  dear  children  with  you.    When  I  reflect  upon  the 


112 


MEMOIR  OF 


greatness  of  your  trial,  in  the  events  of  the  week  in  vvliich 
I  left  you,  my  heart  is  full.  I  have  no  language  to  ex- 
press my  feelings.  O  that  I  could  have  been  with  you, 
and  took  a  part  in  your  grief,  in  witnessing  the  dying 
struggles  of  our  departed  son,  in  uniting  with  you  in 
pleading  for  him,  and  commending  him  to  the  mercy  of 
God,  and  in  accompanying  you  and  the  surviving  chil- 
dren to  the  solemn  place  of  interment !  But,  for  some 
wise  reasons,  hereafter  to  be  explained,  God  has  ordered 
otherwise.  I  desire  to  submit  to  his  holy  will.  I  hope, 
my  dear  companion,  that  you  have  been  supported  by  the 
same  hand  which  has  laid  on  this  rod,  and  that  God  will 
bring  you  very  near  to  himself,  and  that  the  children  may 
see  in  you  a  pattern  of  Christian  mourning.  I  had,  in 
the  first  place,  a  trial  in  communicating  the  news  of 
Alvan's  removal  to  Lucy,  as  I  knew  it  would  be  over- 
whelming to  her.  At  this  moment  Mr.  S.  came  in,  and 
we  united  in  prayer,  which  was  a  precious  season  in 
calming  our  minds.  Several  hours  after,  I  sat  down  by 
our  dear  Harriet,  and  endeavored  to  prepare  her  mind  to 
come  to  the  knowledge  of  this  dispensation  of  Providence. 
Her  nerves  are  very  irritable,  and  the  least  thing  over- 
comes her.  In  view  of  her  case,  it  was  the  hardest  task 
I  ever  undertook  ;  but  having  brought  God's  holy  govern- 
ment into  view,  she  seemed  to  be  prepared  to  hear  the 
heavy  tidings." 

In  the  following  extracts  from  his  letters,  there  is  some 
repetition  of  the  thoughts  contained  in  the  paragraphs 
above,  but  as  some  additional  details  are  given  respecting 
the  trials  with  which  the  family  was  visited,  and  the 
feelings  of  the  father,  as  the  providence  of  God  opened 
these  scenes  to  him,  it  is  thought  they  will  not  be  un-. 
acceptable. 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


113 


"^fp/.  4,  1824. 

"  Dear  Friends, 

"  The  trials  in  my  family,  the  last  four  weeks,  have 
been  indescribable,  though  they  have  been  such  as  infinite 
wisdom  has  marked  out  for  us.  Submission  to  the  will  of 
our  heavenly  Father  is  our  duty  and  our  privilege.  We 
had  heard  that  our  daughter  Harriet  was  very  feeble  in 
health,  and  considered  to  be  in  a  rapid  decline.  It  is 
nearly  four  weeks  since  Lucy  and  I  sat  out  to  go  and  see 
her.  At  that  time,  Alvan  was  as  comfortable  as  he  had 
been  for  two  or  three  months ;  and  though  weak  and 
much  emaciated,  was  able  to  ride  four  or  five  miles  at  one 
time.  He,  however,  died  suddenly  the  fourth  day  after  I 
left  home,  and  never  had  a  watcher  until  the  night  before 
he  died.  He  was  favored  with  his  reason  to  the  last 
moment,  and  was  entirely  calm,  as  he  had  been  during 
his  long  sickness,  saying  that  he  rejoiced  in  God,  and  that 
the  Saviour  appeared  precious  to  him.  Mrs.  Hyde  and 
the  smaller  children  met  this  heavy  affliction  when  Lucy 
and  I  were  hundreds  of  miles  from  them,  unconscious  of 
their  being  called  to  drink  of  such  a  cup  of  sorrow.  Our 
friends  in  town  were  very  attentive  to  them,  and  did  every 
thing  in  their  power  to  assuage  their  grief 

"  We  found  Harriet  very  low  indeed,  having  less 
strengtii  than  Alvan  had  when  we  left  home.  She  was 
desirous  of  making  an  attempt  to  return  with  us  in 
a  packet-boat  on  the  canal,  and  could  not  be  denied. 
Never  did  I  contemplate  an  undertaking  with  so  much 
anxiety  and  trembling.  Indeed,  I  expected  we  should  be 
compelled  to  return  after  riding  in  the  boat  one  day ;  but 
through  much  fatigue  we  have  all  been  brought  to  my 
house,  and  she  has  as  much  strength  as  when  we  left 
home.  The  prospect  of  her  recovery,  or  even  of  her 
continuing  long,  is  very  faint. 

"You  see  from  this  short  account,  that  we  are  in  the 
10  * 


114 


MEMOIR  OF 


furnace  of  affliction ;  and  I  trust  you  will  be  excited  to 
pray  fervently  that  God's  grace  may  be  sufficient  for  us. 
In  years  past  God  has  given  us  great  prosperity  as  a 
family,  and  we  have  been  ungrateful.  Now  he  is  laying 
on  the  rod,  and  O  that  we  may  be  humbled. 

"  Harriet  is  in  a  calm  and  sweet  frame  of  mind,  which 
is  an  unspeakable  mercy." 

"  Oct.  12,  1824. 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  I  thank  you  for  a  short  letter  by  Mr.  S.  Since 
that  time  I  have  been  placed,  by  a  wise  Providence,  in  the 
furnace  of  affliction,  and  there  I  am  still  continued.  The 
Lord  removed  my  first-born  son  from  the  world,  at  a  time 
when  1  was  not  expecting  the  event,  and  when  I  had  no 
opportunity  to  administer  a  word  of  consolation  to  him,  in 
that  trying  hour  when  he  was  conflicting  with  the  king  of 
terrors.  Though  the  providence  appears  to  be  mysterious, 
yet  I  desire  not  to  murmur.  My  two  eldest  children,  who 
first  had  a  place  in  my  affections,  as  a  parent,  have  entered 
the  eternal  world.  My  dear  daughter  Harriet,  is  rapidly 
sinking  to  the  grave.  For  a  few  weeks  after  her  return 
to  my  house,  she  appeared  to  be  more  comfortable,  and 
we  cherished  a  faint  hope  of  her  recovery  ;  but  for  ten 
days  past,  the  indications  of  Providence  have  been  plain 
that  we  must  part  with  her.  She  is  calm,  and  appears  to 
have  a  sight  of  the  loveliness  and  all-sufficiency  of  the 
Saviour.  This  is  an  unspeakable  mercy,  and  1  desire 
that  I  may  not,  in  the  midst  of  my  grief,  undervalue  it. 
We  need  the  pity  and  the  prayers  of  all  our  Christian 
friends.  Will  you  not  come  and  see  us  in  this  day  of 
adversity  1  Come  soon,  if  you  can,  and  if  you  wish  to 
see  Harriet  in  this  world. 

"  From  your  afflicted  friend." 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


115 


Birthday  reflections.  "Feb.  2,  1825.  I  have  renewed 
occasion,  this  day,  to  recognize  the  goodness  of  God,  and 
to  'call  upon  my  soul,  and  all  that  is  within  me,  to  bless  his 
holy  name.'  I  desire  to  feel  that  he  has  redeemed  my  life 
from  destruction,  and  crowned  me  with  his  loving  kind- 
ness and  tender  mercies,  though  my  trials  the  year  past, 
have  exceeded  any  that  I  have  before  experienced.  There 
has  not  been  a  single  day,  during  the  whole  year,  when  I 
could  say,  ray  family  were  all  in  health.  I  have  been 
called  to  mourn  the  early  death  of  my  two  eldest  children, 
who  had  entered  on  spheres  of  active  usefulness.  These 
events  I  have  contemplated,  as  being  among  the  mysterious 
providences  of  God,  and  yet  I  have  already  noticed  many 
mercies,  connected  with  these  heavy  trials  and  sore  be- 
reavements. These  dear  children  have  been  taken  into 
the  eternal  world  before  me.  I  am  conscious,  that  the 
time  is  drawing  nigh,  when  I  must  follow  them.  I  need 
special  communications  of  divine  grace  to  prepare  for  the 
interesting  scenes  which  await  me.  This  day,  I  lament 
before  God,  who  knows  all  my  neglects  of  duty,  and  all 
my  sinful  wanderings,  that  I  have  been  no  more  solicitous 
to  receive  spiritual  profit  in  the  furnace  of  affliction.  In 
his  great  faithfulness  God  is  still  correcting  me,  and  put- 
ting my  confidence  in  his  government  to  the  test,  by  con- 
tinuing sickness  in  my  family.  Since  the  removal  of  my 
two  eldest  children  by  death,  I  have  had  great  anxiety 
on  account  of  the  feeble  health  of  my  only  surviving 
daughter. 

"  The  past  has  been  a  year  of  unusual  mortality 
among  my  people.  We  have  been-  visited  with  some  very 
awful  providences  by  the  explosions  of  powder-mills  in  the 
town,  which  occasioned  the  sudden  death  of  six  men,  in 
the  prime  of  life.  I  have  to  lament  that  these  providences 
have  been  witnessed  by  my  people,  and  by  my  own  family, 
without  arousing  any  one  from  the  sleep  of  sin,  or  exciting 


116 


MEMOIR  OF 


the  interesting  inquiry,  '  What  shall  I  do  to  be  saved  ? ' 
Never  did  I  notice  greater  and  more  general  unfeeling- 
ness  on  the  subject  of  religion,  in  this  town,  than  I  have 
witnessed  since  God  has  spoken  so  loudly  in  these  provi- 
dences. The  same  thing  has  been  apparent  in  the  church 
as  a  body.  Difficulties  have  arisen  among  the  professed 
followers  of  Christ,  which  it  seems  impossible  to  heal. 
Truly  my  heart  has  been  pained,  and  I  have  had  occasion 
to  mourn  in  secret  places.  Sometimes  I  have  been  ready 
to  conclude,  that  I  could  no  longer  be  instrumental  of 
good  to  the  people  of  my  charge.  Yet,  if  I  know  my  own 
heart,  I  desire  to  be  humble,  to  feel  my  dependence,  and 
to  follow  on  to  know  the  Lord. 

"  I  once  more  renew  the  dedication  of  myself  unto  the 
Lord,  to  be  his  forever.  O  that  he  would  have  mercy  on 
me,  and  on  the  surviving  members  and  branches  of  my 
afflicted  family,  for  the  sake  of  the  Redeemer.  Amen." 

In  a  letter  dated  May  28,  in  which  he  speaks  of  absent 
children,  he  says : 

"  Children  know  not  the  solicitude  of  parents,  which  is 
doubtless  often,  too  often,  excessive  and  criminal.  How 
much  happier  we  should  be,  if  we  could  learn  the  impor- 
tant lesson  of  submitting  all  our  concerns  to  God." 

In  his  diary  is  the  following  record  : 

"  June  12,  1825.  My  daughter  Lucy  died  at  Sand- 
wich, in  the  house  of  brother  William  Fessenden,  being 
the  same  house  in  which  her  mother  was  born.  This 
dear  child  rode  with  me  to  Boston,  in  a  chaise,  where  we 
arrived  on  Monday,  the  23d  of  May.  She  had  long  been 
feeble,  but  was  then  comfortable,  and  was  very  desirous  of 
continuing  her  journey  to  Sandwich,  hoping  she  might 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


117 


derive  benefit  from  the  sea  air,  and  sea  food.  My  son 
Joseph,  had  arrived  at  Boston,  in  the  stage  before  us,  and 
on  the  24th  of  May,  they  set  out  for  Sandwich.  She  was 
cheerful ;  but  my  own  mind  was  filled  with  anxiety  on  her 
account.  I  gave  her  the  parting  hand  in  Boston,  at  the 
door  of  John  Houston,  Esq.,  where  we  had  been  hospitably 
entertained.  It  was  with  very  great  reluctance,  and  with 
much  trembling,  that  I  consented  to  her  taking  this  course, 
as  she  would  be  with  those,  who,  though  friends  and  rela- 
tives, would  be  strangers  to  her  complaints.  Never  can  I 
describe  the  burden  which  I  felt  at  that  time.  She  per- 
formed the  journey  without  much  fatigue,  and  was  so 
comfortable  that  her  desire  was  to  be  left  there.  Her 
brother  continued  with  her  a  week ;  but  soon  after  he 
parted  with  her,  she  had  a  violent  attack  of  the  disorder, 
which  had  long  been  wasting  her  strength,  and  it  soon 
became  evident  that  her  dissolution  was  rapidly  approach- 
ing. She  retained  her  usual  serenity  and  calmness  until 
her  death,  which  took  place  on  Sabbath  morning.  She 
was  an  affectionate  and  lovely  child,  and  was  tender  on 
the  subject  of  religion,  though  she  was  not  a  public  pro- 
fessor, nor  could  she  be  persuaded  to  believe  that  she  had 
experienced  a  renovation  of  heart.  Nevertheless  she  said 
her  meditations  on  her  moral  state,  and  on  the  necessity 
of  a  personal  interest  in  Christ,  had  been  different  for  a 
year.  She  expressed  submission  to  the  divine  will,  in  a 
clear  and  aflfecting  manner,  saying  that  '  all  was  as  it 
should  be.' 

"  I  have  now  buried  three  children  in  the  short  space 
of  ten  months,  and  have  now  no  daughter  to  solace  my 
declining  years.  The  last  was  the  heaviest  stroke  of  them 
all.  Under  all  my  bereavements,  T  desire  to  bow  in  hum- 
ble submission  to  the  will  of  my  heavenly  Father,  who 
gave  me  these  pleasant  and  amiable  children,  and  who 
has  taken  them  from  me.     Lucy  had  just  completed 


118 


MEMOIR  OF 


twenty-one  years.  She  was  beloved  by  her  numerous 
acquaintances,  and  her  death  occasioned  great  mourning. 
May  the  Lord  sanctify  this  providence  to  me,  to  my  com- 
panion, and  surviving  children." 

"  Junz  16,  1825. 

"  Dear  Friends, 

"  Your  letter,  communicating  to  us  the  very  afflictive 
tidings  of  the  unexpected  death  of  our  dear  and  only 
daughter,  reached  here  yesterday.  I  was  myself  at  Pitts- 
field,  attending  the  meeting  of  the  Berkshire  Association 
of  Ministers.  Mrs.  Hyde  was  called  to  endure  the  shock 
alone,  with  the  three  youngest  children.  A  messenger 
Avas  immediately  despatched  with  the  letter  to  me,  which 
I  received  in  the  meeting-house.  Though  your  former 
letters  had  greatly  excited  my  fears,  yet  the  intelligence 
of  the  sudden  departure  of  that  dear  child,  was  more  over- 
whelming to  me,  than  any  of  the  scenes  through  which  I 
have  lately  passed.  It  is  a  mysterious  providence,  that 
she  should  go  to  such  a  distance  from  her  parents  and 
brothers,  to  meet  the  king  of  terrors,  and  to  find  her  grave  ; 
but  the  reasons  for  this  additional  trial  will  be  explained 
hereafter.  God  has  done  right.  All  the  circumstances 
of  her  sickness  and  death  were  ordered  in  infinite  wisdom. 
She  was  to  die  in  your  family,  and  before  your  eyes,  and 
the  eyes  of  your  children,  and  other  relatives,  while  we 
were  ignorant  of  the  distressing  scene.  I  desire  to  submit 
to  the  will  of  my  heavenly  Father,  and  to  be  humble 
under  this  repeated  and  heavy  stroke. 

"  I  lament  my  unfaithfulness  to  her,  and  now  God  has 
taken  her  away  from  my  care,  no  more  to  return  to  me.  I 
know  he  has  disposed  of  her  in  righteousness ;  I  have  no 
comj)Iaints  to  make,  though  I  feel  greatly  bereaved.  The 
Lord  alone  can  support  my  companion  and  myself  under 
this  ailiiction.    We  beg  for  an  interest  in  your  prayers. 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


119 


and  the  prayers  of  all  our  friends  in  S.,  who  know  the 
way  to  the  throne  of  grace.  I  can  say  in  the  language  of 
Job,  '  Have  pity  upon  us,  have  pity  upon  us,  O  ye  our 
friends  !  for  the  hand  of  the  Lord  hath  touched  us.' 

"  The  visit  of  my  dear  child  at  S.,  on  which  she  had 
long  reckoned,  instead  of  affording  you  joy,  has  occasioned 
you  much  care,  anxiety,  and  distress.  You  have  stood 
over  her  dying  bed,  and  with  other  relatives  followed  her 
mortal  remains  to  the  grave.  I  pray  God  to  reward  you  all 
for  your  kind  attention  to  her  whom  you  will  see  no  more, 
until  you  meet  her  in  another  world.  I  pray  God  to  sanc- 
tify the  whole  scene  to  your  family,  and  to  all  the  kind 
relatives  who  ministered  to  her.  Accept  my  thanks  for 
every  token  of  your  sympathy  and  kindness  to  one  who 
was  so  dear  to  us." 

Extracts  from  other  letters,  written  as  these  scenes 
were  opening  to  him  and  his  family,  though  they  contain 
some  repetitions,  will  here  be  inserted. 

"  June  18, 1825. 

"  Dear  Friends, 

"  Yesterday  I  received  your  letter,  giving  us  an  ac- 
count of  the  funeral  solemnities  of  our  dear  departed 
daughter,  which,  while  it  is  deeply  affecting  to  our  hearts, 
and  has  caused  the  tears  to  flow,  has  brought  us  under 
renewed  obligations  to  you,  and  other  friends  who  have 
taken  such  an  interest  in  our  uncommon  afflictions. 
*  *  *  Perhaps  God  has  denied  us  the  privilege  of 
ministering  to  her,  and  giving  our  counsel  in  the  last  mo- 
ments of  life,  because  we  were  so  unfaithful  to  her  when 
she  was  with  us  and  in  health.  *  *  #  i  have  thought 
her  death  might  be  the  means  of  saving  some  of  your 
family,  or  some  of  her  relatives  in  Sandwich,  though  the 
mournful  scene  was  hidden  from  the  eyes  of  my  family. 


120 


MEMOIR  OF 


It  is  my  fervent  prayer  that  it  may  be  sanctified  to  us  all, 
and  though  at  present  grievous,  it  may  hereafter  yield 
the  peaceable  fruit  of  righteousness. 

"Tuesday  morning,  June  21.  On  the  Sabbath  our 
meeting-house  was  filled  to  overflowing,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Burt, 
of  Great  Barrington,  improved  the  affecting  death  of  our 
daughter,  by  addressing  us  from  Psalm  xlvi.  1 — 'God  is 
our  refuge  and  strength,  a  very  present  help  in  trouble.' 
It  was  a  consoling  sermon,  as  the  only  unfailing  source 
of  comfort  was  presented  to  us.  We  have  a  satisfaction  in 
witnessing  the  attentioii  and  sympathetic  feelings  of  so 
many  friends  ;  but  we  are  not  to  expect,  that  our  loss  can 
ever  be  made  up  in  this  world.  The  places  which  once 
knew  her,  in  our  family  and  elsewhere,  will  know  her  no 
more  forever.  But  God  can  bestow  upon  us  that  which 
is  far  better  than  sons  or  daughters.  Let  us  have  a  daily 
interest  in  your  prayers,  and  let  all  our  friends  know  that 
we  ask  the  same  favor  of  them. 

"  That  the  Lord  may  be  your  portion,  is  the  prayer  of 
your  affectionate  but  afflicted  friend." 

''July  17,  1825. 

"  Dear  Friends, 

"  In  this  day  of  affliction  and  bereavement,  we  have 
been  constantly  passing  from  one  scene  to  another,  all  of 
which  have  been  fitted  to  excite  the  tenderest  emotions  in 
our  wounded  hearts.  On  Friday  of  last  week,  Mr.  B. 
arrived  with  our  dear  departed  Lucy's  trunk  and  clothes, 
and  on  the  same  day  and  nearly  the  same  hour,  our  dear 
Harriet's  trunk  and  clothes  were  brought  to  us  from 
Ogden,  which  Mr.  Church  had  desired  Lucy  to  preserve 
for  his  little  daughter.  It  was  a  wonderful  providence, 
and  yet  it  was  almost  too  much  for  our  frail  natures  to 
endure.  We  could  look  on  the  garments  which  they  once 
wore,  but  were  compelled  to  think  of  them,  as  being  in 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


121 


their  graves,  and  forever  gone  from  this  world.  Nothing 
could  calm  our  minds  but  a  consciousness  that  the  Lord 
had  done  it.  Our  house  is  a  house  of  mourning.  It  is  a 
lonely  place,  and  yet  God's  mercies  are  very  great. 

"  The  debt  of  gratitude  which  I  owe  to  you  and  to  our 
numerous  other  friends  in  S.,  for  your  unwearied  attention 
to  the  distresses  of  our  daughter,  is  one  I  can  never  dis- 
charge. Do  accept  our  thanks ;  and  do  express  to  them 
all  the  sense  of  obligation  which  we  feel.  The  trying 
situation  of  our  beloved  daughter  excited  your  pity,  and 
caused  you  many  anxious  hours  and  wakeful  nights.  I 
pray  God  to  sanctify  the  solemn  and  affecting  scene  to 
you  all.  I  have  repeatedly  read  every  letter,  and  watched 
every  expression  relating  to  her  sickness  and  death.  I 
feel  an  obligation  to  all  our  friends,  who  have  written. 
May  the  Lord  reward  them.  I  feel  an  obligation  to  Mr.  H. 
for  his  kind  and  faithful  visits  to  her,  and  also  to  Dr.  L. 
for  all  his  services  gratuitously  bestowed.    *    *  * 

"  How  little  we  know  of  what  is  before  us !  I  am 
sometimes  ready  to  say— O  that  Lucy  had  returned  with 
me  from  Boston,  or  that  I  had  accompanied  her  and  Joseph 
to  Sandwich,  that  I  might  have  been  with  her,  in  the  last 
conflict.  Infinite  wisdom  saw  it  not  to  be  best.  I  must 
be  still.  I  think  I  do  not  murmur,  though  I  have  lost  a 
child  dear  to  my  heart,  beyond  the  power  of  language  to 
describe." 

«  Aug.  25,  1825. 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  I  have  not  written  to  you  since  the  last  shock  we 
experienced  in  the  death  of  our  dearly  beloved  daughter 
Lucy.  On  many  accounts  this  was  the  heaviest  stroke 
which  has  fallen  upon  us,  and  coming  so  soon  after  the 
other  heavy  bereavements,  in  the  removal  of  Alvan  and 
Harriet,  it  has  beeri  seemingly  more  than  my  frail  nature 
11 


122 


MEMOIR  OF 


could  endure.  She  died  from  home,  and  though  kindly 
attended  by  sympathizing  relatives,  they  were  all  strangers 
to  her.  Not  one  of  my  family  witnessed  the  distressing 
scene.  Lucy  has  gone,  no  more  to  return  to  us.  That 
near  earthly  tie  which  gave  her  such  a  place  in  my  affec- 
tions, is  forever  broken.  She  was  a  desirable  child,  and 
amiable  in  her  disposition,  but  I  had  not  that  evidence  of 
her  union  to  Christ,  that  I  had  in  the  case  of  her  sister. 
I  know  that  God  has  disposed  of  her  in  righteousness,  and 
I  desire  to  be  still.  It  is  a  humiliating  thought  that  I 
should  need  such  repeated  and  heavy  corrections.  It 
becomes  me  to  walk  softly  all  the  days  of  my  life.  God 
has  done  right,  and  he  must  be  my  '  refuge  and  strength' 
jn  this  day  of  trouble.  My  house  is  lonely,  and  probably 
will  never  again  appear  to  me  as  formerly  it  did.  I  am 
now  sensible  that  I  lived  in  great  prosperity  for  many 
years,  and  was  criminally  insensible  of  God's  goodness  to 
me  and  my  family,  O  that  we  may  all  derive  lasting 
profit,  by  being  brought  into  the  furnace  of  affliction. 
Let  us  have  an  interest  in  your  prayers,  that  God  may  be 
glorified  in  us  and  by  us,  now  we  are  brought  under  his 
mighty  hand," 

"Sept  17,  1825. 

"  My  dear  Companion, 

"While  I  seat  myself  to  write  you  a  single  line  as  a 
token  of  affectionate  remembrance,  I  trust  if  God  in  his 
providence  has  enabled  you  to  prosecute  your  plan,  you 
are  on  your  way  from  Boston  to  Sandwich.  I  have 
however  had  my  fears,  that  riding  in  the  cold  damps  of 
the  evening  and  morning  might  affect  your  health.  As 
no  information  has  been  sent  back,  I  hope  that  all  is  well. 
Still  I  desire  to  be  prepared  for  the  events  of  Providence, 
whatever  they  may  be.  My  house  has  for  many  months 
been  lonely,  and  almost  every  object  reminds  me  of  the 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


123 


great  changes  which  have  taken  place.  Since  you  and 
J.  left  us,  we  have  been  mercifully  preserved.  We  pro- 
ceed with  our  usual  order  and  regularity.  Cousin  L.  takes 
your  place  in  managing  and  superintending  the  concerns 
of  the  family,  and  gives  full  proof  of  her  fidelity,  activity 
and  skill.  A.  is  my  companion  in  the  silent  hours  of  the 
night,  and  sleeps  as  sweetly,  as  if  the  world  had  no  sor- 
row in  it.  Our  granddaughter  is  as  happy  as  ever,  and 
has  no  more  to  say  of  her  grandmother,  than  she  had  of 
her  aunt  Lucy  when  she  left  her  to  return  no  more. 

"  Your  visit  at  Sandwich  must  be  such  as  you  never 
before  made.  I  pray  God  to  support  you,  and  to  keep  you 
from  dishonoring  his  holy  name.  You  will  doubtless  hear 
from  sympathizing  friends  many  things  respecting  our 
dear  departed  child  which  have  not  been  communicated 
in  letters.  You  will  see  the  room  from  which  her  immor- 
tal spirit  took  its  flight,  and  the  rising  earth  which  covers 
her  once  fair  form.  But,  my  dear,  you  must  look  beyond 
these  mournful  objects,  and  keep  in  mind  that  the  Lord 
Jesus  has  declared  himself  to  be,  '  the  resurrection  and 
the  life.'  All  earthly  scenes  will  soon  pass  away,  and 
we  shall  be  where  these  ties  which  bind  us  so  strongly  to 
earthly  friends  will  be  dissolved.  I  desire  to  feel  more 
sensibly  that  I  am  a  pilgrim  and  stranger  in  this  lower 
world.  I  hope  that  you,  and  your  son  who  is  with  you, 
will  greatly  profit  by  going  to  Sandwich,  though  the  deep 
wounds  will  be  opened  afresh.  Let  it  appear  to  our 
friends,  who  have  borne  such  a  part  in  our  afHictions,  that 
you  truly  mourn,  but  mourn  without  murmuring. 

"  From  your  affectionate  but  afflicted  husband." 

Birthday  reflections.  "  Feb.  2,  1826.  I  have  renewed 
occasion  this  day  to  record  the  goodness  and  tender  mercy 
of  my  heavenly  Father,  which  have  been  extended  to  me, 
the  chief  of  sinners,  another  year.    My  unprofitable  life 


124 


MEMOIR  OF 


has  been  precious  in  liis  sight,  and  he  has  enabled  me  to 
pursue  the  work  of  tlie-  ministry,  though  my  health,  at 
times,  has  been  very  feeble.  One  Sabbath  I  was  not  able 
to  attend  public  worship,  which  has  been  a  rare  occur- 
rence during  my  connection  with  this  people ;  there  having 
l)een  only  six  Sabbaths  in  thirty-four  years,  in  which  I 
have  been  detained  from  the  house  of  God,  in  consequence 
of  sickness.  The  past  has  been  a  year  of  great  trials. 
The  long  sickness  of  my  beloved  daughter  occasioned  me 
many  days  and  nights  of  much  anxiety,  and  her  early 
death  has  been  a  sore  bereavement.  But  hitherto  God 
has  supported  me,  and,  if  I  know  my  own  heart,  has  kept 
me  from  murmuring.  I  have  less  to  attach  me  to  this 
world ;  and  yet  none  of  my  bereavements,  nor  all  of  them 
combined,  have  diminished  the  excellence  and  importance 
of  the  kingdom  of  Christ.  Though  earthly  friends,  and 
those  on  whom  I  have  placed  great  dependence,  have 
failed  me,  yet  I  find  the  Saviour  is  the  same,  yesterday, 
to-day,  and  forever. 

"  I  desire  to  be  thankful,  that  I  have  seen  the  unhappy 
difficulties  in  the  church,  which  have  occasioned  me 
much  grief,  brought  to  a  termination,  by  public  confessions 
of  the  brethren  in  fault.  The  church  has  since  had  many 
pleasant  and  profitable  meetings,  and  I  have  hoped  to 
witness  a  revival  of  religion. 

"  The  correspondence  which  I  have  maintained  with 
my  absent  children  has  been  a  source  of  comfort  to 
me,  and  with  one  of  them,  ,  it  has  been  truly  re- 
freshing, as  he  uses  a  new  language.  I  fondly  cherish  a 
hope,  that  he  has  passed  from  death  unto  life.  Such 
blessings  are  among  the  richest  which  God  ever  bestows 
upon  a  family. — I  record  with  tears  of  lamentation,  the 
consciousness  I  have  of  great  unfaithfulness  in  all  the 
relations  of  life.  May  God  forgive  me  for  Christ's  sake, 
and  by  the  special  communications  of  his  grace,  make  me 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


125 


more  faithful,  more  humble,  and  more  disposed  to  live  in 
constant  readiness  to  close  my  labors,  and  give  up  my 
account.    To  him  let  all  the  glory  be  given." 

«  J^efi.  25,  1826. 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  I  rejoice  to  learn  that  you  still  have  some  tokens  of 
the  gracious  presence  of  Christ  among  your  people.  I 
hope  the  Lord  will  make  you  humble,  and  inspire  you 
with  wisdom  and  zeal.  We  are  earthern  vessels,  and  can 
do  nothing  of  ourselves.  It  is  not  in  cur  power  to  make 
an  awakening  among  our  people,  which  will  result  in 
lasting  good.  We  are  bound  to  be  faithful ;  but  we  must 
ascribe  all  the  glory  of  saving  an  immortal  soul  from 
death,  to  Christ  and  the  power  of  his  grace. 

"Since  you  was  at  my  house,  I  have  been  more  encour- 
aged with  respect  to  my  own  people,  than  I  have  been  for 
three  years  past.  Many  of  the  church  are  much  awake. 
Our  meetings  have  been  interesting  and  frequent,  and 
very  solemn.  I  proposed  to  the  church,  a  fortnight  since, 
to  visit  every  family  in  the  town,  and  call  upon  every 
individual  to  attend  to  the  concerns  of  the  soul.  The 
church  unanimously  consented.  In  this  work  we  have 
been  engaged  for  some  time,  and  it  has  been  truly  a 
pleasant  work.  I  have  myself  visited  nearly  thirty  families, 
conversed  and  prayed  in  them  all.  At  a  meeting  of  the 
church,  yesterday,  we  had  returns  from  the  visiting 
brethren,  whose  faces,  as  it  were,  shone  as  they  related 
what  they  had  seen  and  heard.  We  hope  for  blessings — 
though  we  are  unworthy." 

"May  19,  1826. 

"  Dear  Madam, 

"  I  have  heard  of  the  providence  of  God,  which  has 
a  second  time  deprived  you  of  a  partner,  and  written  you 
11  * 


126 


MEMOIR  OF 


a  widow,  to  be  a  mourner  the  remainder  of  your  daysv 
I  heartily  sympathize  with  you  under  this  new  and  sudden 
bereavement,  which,  by  reason  of  age  and  feebleness  of 
body,  you  will  sustain  witli  more  difficulty  than  when  the 
rod  was  laid  upon  you  in  younger  life.  The  event,  though 
deeply  afflictive,  has  taken  place  according  to  the  appoint- 
ment of  infinite  wisdom.  You  was  suffered  to  live  with 
your  late  husband,  and  to  experience  his  kind  attention 
more  than  thirty  years,  which  you  ought  to  esteem  a  favor 
from  your  heavenly  Father.  He  reached  a  good  old  age, 
and  could  not  have  ministered  to  you  much  longer.  You 
will  soon  follow  him,  and  I  hope  his  removal,  and  the 
circumstances  attending  his  death,  will  be  the  means  of 
quickening  you  to  prepare  for  the  great  change.  We  are 
all  imperfect  and  sinful  creatures ;  transgressors  of  a 
righteous  law,  and  our  only  hope  of  pardon  and  salvation 
must  be  founded  on  Christ,  the  rock  of  ages.  I  trust  you 
believe  in  him  as  an  almighty  Saviour.  Though  you  have 
no  son  to  lean  upon  in  the  decline  of  life,  yet  you  have 
three  daughters,  who  will  do  every  thing  in  their  power  to 
render  your  life  comfortable  and  happy. 

"  I  find,  as  you  do,  that  the  number  of  my  early  friends 
and  acquaintance,  is  now  rapidly  diminishing.  Great 
changes  have  taken  place  in  my  own  family.  My  two 
beloved  daughters  have  been  cut  down  in  early  life,  and 
while  enjoying  the  fairest  worldly  prospects.  Two  of  my 
sons  are  also  sleeping  in  the  grave. 

*  *  *  "  I  know  you  will  all  be  glad  to  see  my  son 
W.,  for  his  parents'  sake,  in  whom  you  will  see  some  of 
the  features  of  his  father,  though  he  has  less  than  E.  He 
will  visit  the  grave  of  his  dear  sister  Lucy,  the  recollection 
of  whom  always  calls  forth  a  sigh. 

"I  remain,  as  ever,  your  affectionate  friend." 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


127 


''Aug.  22,  1826. 

"  Dear  Friends, 

"  A  holy  and  righteous  Providence  has  again  brought 
me  and  my  family  into  the  furnace  of  affliction,  and  our 
distresses  and  anxieties,  for  some  weeks  past,  have  been 
indescribably  great.  Our  dear  son  Chauncey,  who  has 
been  residing  with  S.,  at  Farmington,  in  the  State  of 
New  York,  two  hundred  and  seventy  miles  from  here, 
was  attacked,  the  first  of  this  month,  with  the  typhus 
fever.  In  its  commencement  it  was  mild — but  it  soon 
prostrated  his  strength,  and  deprived  him  of  his  reason  and 
the  power  of  speech.  We  immediately  sent  his  brother 
W.  to  assist  S.  in  taking  care  of  Chauncey,  who  found 
him  much  lower  than  he  had  anticipated.  He  apparently 
knew  nothing  that  was  passing.  My  son  E.  and  Mr.  C. 
reached  the  place  before  W.  Last  Saturday,  we  e.xpected 
the  mail  would  have  brought  us  the  heavy  tidings  of  his 
departure  from  this  world ;  but  he  was  alive  on  Wednes- 
day morning,  the  16th.  We-  are  now  anxiously  and 
tremblingly  waiting  the  arrival  of  this  day's  mail.  What 
message  the  Lord  has  for  us,  we  know  not;  but  our  hopes 
are  very  faint  indeed  of  receiving  a  favorable  message. 

"  You  liave  now  an  imperfect  view  of  our  present  trial 
Let  us  have  an  interest  in  your  prayers,  that  we,  may  be 
sustained  under  the  repeated  chastisements  of  the  Lord. 
Should  we  hear  that  Chauncey  is  living,  and  like  to 
continue,  Mrs.  H.  and  I  propose  to  set  out  to-morrow  and 
go  to  his  assistance.  The  journey  is  long,  and  the  season 
of  the  year  will  render  it  tedious ;  but  we  must  rely  on  the 
mercy  and  protection  of  our  heavenly  Father.  Acquaint 
our  friends  in  S.  with  this  new  trial  which  we  are  called 
to  endure,  that  we  may  have  their  sympathy  and  theii 
prayers." 


128 


MEMOIR  OF 


"■  Aug.  29,  1826. 

"Dear  Friends, 

"  I  wrote  you  last  week,  informing  you  of  the  new 
and  heavy  trial  which  God,  in  his  holy  providence  had 
brought  upon  us,  in  the  distressing  sickness  of  our  dear 
son  Chauncey.  We  were  kept  in  suspense,  not  knowing 
what  message  the  Lord  had  to  send  to  us,  until  last  Satur- 
day, when  the  mail  brought  us  the  deeply  afflictive  tidings 
of  his  removal  from  this  world.  W.  wrote  us  that  he 
closed  his  mortal  life  as  the  sun  arose,  on  Friday  morning, 
the  18th  inst.  It  does  not  appear  that  he  ever  recog- 
nized W.,  though  he  had  been  with  him  ten  days,  and 
coiistantly  ministered  to  him.  S.,  W.,  E.,  and  Mr.  C, 
were  present  to  witness  the  affecting  and  heart-rending 
scene,  and  followed  his  mortal  remains  to  the  grave. 

^'  How  mysterious  is  this  dispensation  of  Providence ! 
Chauncey  had  not  reached  the  age  of  sixteen.  He  was 
one  of  the  most  promising  of  my  children — intelligent, 
iactive,  and  obedient,  and  a  perfect  picture  of  health.  But 
the  Lord  has  cut  him  down  in  the  biid  of  life,  and  I  have 
no  doubt  he  has  done  it  in  righteousness,  and  in  his  great 
faithfulness  to  our  souls.  The  world,  which  appeared 
empty  before,  now  appears  more  so.  I  desire  to  be  still, 
and  to  walk  softly  before  the  Lord  all  the  days  of  my  life. 
Truly  I  have  been  trained  up  in  the  school  of  affliction, 
and  I  hope  none  of  us  may  fail  of  being  partakers  of  God's 
holiness. 

"On  the  Sabbath,  Dr.  Shepard  was  with  us,  and 
preached  a  funeral  sermon  to  a  very  great  concourse  of 
people,  who  appeared  to  sympathize  deeply  with  us,  as  I 
trust  you  all  will,  on  hearing  the  mournful  intelligence. 
*  *  *  The  bodies  of  our  dear  Lucy  and  beloved 
Chauncey  are  sleeping  in  their  graves,  four  hundred  and 
seventy  miles  apart.  These  events  wear  upon  our  frail 
natures,  and  we  need  constant  support.    Do  entreat  all 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


129 


our  friends  who  know  the  way  to  the  throne  of  grace,  to 
pray  for  us." 

Such  were  some  of  the  letters  written  by  this  father 
while  in  the  school  of  affliction.  In  his  diary  is  this 
record  : 

"  August  18,  1826,  my  son  Chauncey  died  at  Farming- 
ton,  Ontario  county.  New  York.  He  was  attacked  by 
a  fever,  the  last  of  July,  and  about  the  beginning  of 
August  he  was  entirely  confined.  His  brother  Stephen, 
with  whom  he  lived  as  a  clerk,  gave  me  early  notice,  by 
letter,  of  his  sickness,  though  he  was  not  apprehensive  of 
his  being  in  danger.  My  own  mind  was  at  once  greatly 
alarmed.  I  saw  the  rod  of  Jehovah  again  lifted  up,  and 
anticipated  another  heavy  stroke  from  his  holy  hand. 
Fear  and  trembling  came  upon  me.  Chauncey  was  a 
beloved  son,  and  now  sick  at  the  distance  of  two  hundred 
and  seventy  miles.  He  was  amiable  and  affectionate,  and 
a  child  of  much  promise,  but  I  had  no  evidence  of  his 
adoption  into  the  family  of  the  Redeemer.  I  was  con- 
scious of  having  greatly  failed  in  my  faithfulness  to  him, 
as  a  sinner,  as  a  candidate  for  eternity,  and  as  a  child 
committed  to  my  care.  Neglected  opportunities  I  could 
not  now  recall.  I  was  brought  into  great  straights,  and 
my  soul  was  in  anguish.  I  could  not  see  him,  but  I  at- 
tempted to  carry  his  case  to  the  throne  of  my  heavenly 
Father,  and  there  to  plead  for  him.  I  thought  I  could 
leave  it  wholly  with  God  to  decide  with  respect  to  his 
living  or  dying.  I  was  compelled  to  say,  '  Thy  will  be 
done.'  For  three  weeks  I  was  kept  in  a  state  of  painful 
suspense.  At  length  the  heavy  tidings  reached  me  that 
he  was  dead.  The  voice  of  God,  in  this  event,  was  like 
a  peal  of  thunder ;  yet  the  hand  which  smote  me,  sus- 
tained my  deeply  afflicted  soul.    Though  greatly  bereaved 


130 


MEMOIR  OF 


and  often  bereaved,  I  feel  disposed  to  justify  God  and  be 
still.  I  had  long  before  acknowledged  myself  and  my 
children  to  be  at  the  disposal  of  the  Lord,  both  for  time 
and  eternity.  To  murmur,  therefore,  I  durst  not,  and  I 
could  not.  I  have  now  been  called  to  part  with  five  of 
my  children,  and  all  of  them  at  an  interesting  age,  and 
four  of  them  in  the  short  space  of  two  years.  Chauncey, 
though  large  in  stature,  and  of  a  mature  mind,  had  not 
reached  the  age  of  sixteen.  The  last  five  years  of  my 
life  have  been  filled  up  with  important  changes  in  my 
family,  and  with  scenes  of  affliction,  which  have  been 
peculiar.  On  reviewing  them,  I  am  often  led  to  adopt 
the  language  of  Job — '  Lord,  show  me  wherefore  thou 
contendest  with  me.'  " 

«  Oct.  24, 1826. 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  I  thank  you  for  your  short  but  excellent  letter  of 
the  3d  inst.  It  is  one  of  the  many  tokens  of  our  having 
sympathizing  friends,  far  and  near,  under  the  repeated 
and  heavy  chastisements  which  we  have  experienced  from 
a  faithful  God.  I  have  not  language  to  describe  to  you 
the  scene  of  affliction  through  which  T  passed  during  the 
month  of  August.  The  distressing  sickness  of  my  be- 
loved son  Chauncey,  commenced  about  the  beginning  of 
the  month,  of  which  I  was  early  apprised  ;  and  then  the 
arrival  of  every  mail  from  the  west,  produced  tremblings 
of  heart,  which  showed  me  my  weakness,  and  my  want  of 
that  entire  resignation  to  the  divine  will,  which  adorns 
the  Christian  character.  It  was  a  time  of  e.xtreme  anxiety. 
The  struggle  was  great.  The  death  of  that  healthy,  ac- 
tive, and  promising  child,  was  an  event  unexpected.  I 
was  not  prepared  for  it.  But  the  dear  child  is  gone,  never 
more  to  return.  I  need  not  inform  you  that  I  feel  greatly 
bereaved.    In  the  short  space  of  two  years,  I  have  beeu 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


131 


called  to  part  with  four  children  of  mature  age,  and  under 
circumstances  peculiarly  trying.  I  know  the  Lord  hath 
done  it.  He  is  infinitely  wise  and  cannot  err ;  he  is  infi- 
nitely good  and  cannot  be  unkind.  I  desire  to  bow  to  his 
will.  These  heavy  strokes  from  his  holy  hand,  I  have 
deserved.  My  children  were  affectionate,  and  in  my  own 
eyes  lovely,  and  I  have  doted  too  much  upon  them.  I 
have  loved  them  too  much  as  being  my  own,  when  I  had 
given  them  away  to  God.  I  think  I  do  not  murmur, 
though  I  feel  sensibly  the  smart  of  the  rod.  I  attempt  to 
justify  God  in  all  the  dispensations  of  his  providence,  and  I 
delight  to  do  it.  The  world  looks  very  empty,  and  my 
house  is  a  lonely  place.  I  expect  it  will  always  appear  so, 
as  long  as  I  am  permitted  to  occupy  it. 

"  All  my  surviving  children,  six  sons,  have  returned  to 
the  paternal  mansion,  and  spent  some  time  with  us.  They 
have  often  been  at  the  domestic  altar  with  their  parents, 
and  they  have  accompanied  us  to  the  house  of  God. 
They  have  united  with  me  in  singing  his  praises.  This 
has  been  an  interesting  and  comforting  scene.  But  they 
have  finished  their  visit  and  have  left  us.  What  changes 
have  come  upon  me ! 

"  There  is  an  interesting  state  of  religious  feeling  among 
my  people.  Last  Friday  we  observed  a  day  of  fasting 
and  prayer.  It  was  appointed  for  the  church,  but  it  was 
understood  that  others  might  come  to  the  public  meeting, 
many  hundreds  assembled.  The  meeting  was  solemn. 
Last  week  there  were  two  hopefid  conversions.  We  are 
looking  for  a  shower  of  divine  grace,  though  we  are  in- 
finitely unworthy  of  such  a  favor. 

"  I  rejoice  in  the  mercies  of  God  to  you  and  your 
family ;  but  I  hope  you  will  not  forget  that  you  live  in  a 
dying  world. 

"  That  you  may  be  a  faithful  and  successful  minister  of 
Christ,  is  the  prayer  of  your  affectionate  friend." 


132 


MEMOIR  OF 


"  Oct.  24,  1826. 

"  My  dear  Friend, 

"  I  thank  you  for  your  kind  letter,  by  deacon  F., 
•  which  he  gave  me  with  his  own  hand.  It  is  a  comfort  to 
be  remembered  by  others  when  we  are  in  trouble,  and 
especially  by  old  friends,  I  have  known  you  from  my 
youth,  and  you  have  known  something  of  the  prosperity 
of  my  family,  in  years  which  are  gone. 

"  My  children,  eleven  in  number,  were  all  healthy,  active, 
affectionate  and  obedient,  and  all  lived  to  mature  age. 
Five  are  not.  I  have  felt  the  disruption  of  many  near 
earthly  ties.  My  cliildren  I  loved  with  strong  affection ; 
but  they  were  not  my  own.  This  I  acknowledged  in  the 
most  public  manner  soon  after  their  birth.  Some  of  my 
deceased  children  gave  me  every  reason  to  hope  they  had 
an  interest  in  Christ,  and  they  all  knew  the  way  of  salva- 
tion, and  often,  in  health,  manifested  tenderness  of  mind 
when  addressed  on  the  subject.  But  we  are  poor  judges 
of  the  hearts  of  our  children  and  of  others,  and  of  our 
own  too.  Though  I  felt  such  an  interest  in  these  children, 
I  fully  believe  God  had  the  best  right  to  them.  I  know 
he  has  disposed  of  them  in  righteousness,,  and  for  his  own 
glory.  I  dare  not  murmur.  If  I  know  my  own  heart,  I 
do  not  murmur.  In  his  great  faithfulness  God  has  afflicted 
me,  and  all  will  be  well,  if  thereby  I  may  be  a  partaker 
of  his  holiness.  I  have  six  sons  living,  all  of  whom  have 
spent  some  time  with  me  this  fall.  The  eldest,  S.,  was 
married  a  few  weeks  since,  and  is  connected  with  a  hope- 
fully pious  young  lady. 

"  There  has  been,  for  months  past,  more  than  ordinary 
attention  to  religion  among  my  people.  Four  were  added 
to  the  church  the  last  communion.  Others  are  rejoicing 
in  hope.  Our  meetings  are  frequent,  they  are  thronged, 
and  solemn.  To  say  the  least,  there  is  considerable  ex- 
citement, and  we  are  hoping  many  will  be  persuaded  to 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


133 


forsake  all  for  Christ.  No  saving  effects,  however,  will  be 
produced  without  the  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  I 
have  a  deeper  sense  than  I  formerly  had  of  the  entire 
depravity  of  the  human  heart.  But  I  fear  many,  who 
have  much  zeal  in  religion,  at  this  day,  are  losing  sight 
of  this  truth  which  is  clearly  taught  in  the  holy  scrip- 
tures. 

"  You  have  alm.ost  arrived  to  the  common  age  of  man, 
and  though  at  present  active,  must  view  your  departure  as 
drawing  nigh.  I  hope  you  will  abide  firm  and  unwavering 
in  the  doctrine  of  Christ.  Since  the  death  of  Dr.  Catlin, 
who  had  completed  sixty-eight  years,  I  have  been  the 
oldest  pastor  in  the  county  of  Berkshire,  though  I  am  not 
yet  fifty-nine.  As  we  advance  in  life,  we  should  imbibe 
more  of  the  spirit  of  Christ,  and  learn  of  him,  who  was 
meek  and  lowly  in  heart.  I  believe  with  the  apostle,  that 
charity,  or  holy  love,  will  lead  us  to  esteem  others  better 
than  ourselves. 

"  Mrs.  H.  unites  in  Christian  salutations  to  you  and 
Mrs.  W.,  with  your  friend  and  servant." 


12 


CHAPTER  IX. 


HIS  LABORS   IN  REVIVALS  AMONG  HIS  PEOPLE  HIS  TRIALS 

NEAR    THE    CLOSE    OF    HIS    MINISTRY  HIS    VIEWS  OF 

THE   LABORS   OF  EVANGELISTS. 

Birthday  reflections.  "  Feb.  2,  1827.  Having  seen 
the  close  of  another  year,  and  witnessed  its  changes  and 
trials,  I  would  now  record  as  a  memento  for  myself,  the 
goodness  and  forbearance  of  God  in  continuing  me  a 
prisoner  of  hope.  I  have  again  been  put  into  the  furnace, 
but  he  has  kept  me  from  being  consumed.  He  has  en- 
abled me  to  stand  in  my  lot,  as  a  minister,  and  to  do 
something  to  promote  his  cause.  Several  of  my  people 
have  been  hopefully  renewed,  and  have  taken  the  vows 
of  the  most  high  God  upon  them.  I  have  witnessed  an 
increasing  attention  to  the  concerns  of  the  soul  for  some 
months  past ;  and  now,  while  I  am  writing,  the  dews  of 
divine  grace  are  falling  upon  my  people.  Indeed  I  may 
say  there  is  an  appearance  which,  as  to  the  effects,  resem- 
bles '  a  rushing  mighty  wind.'  The  people  assemble  in 
crowds  whenever  there  is  a  religious  meeting,  eager  to 
hear  every  word  that  is  spoken.  It  has  become  a  solemn 
and  critical  time.  As  there  are  now,  in  this  land,  and 
especially  in  some  churches  in  the  western  part  of  the 
State  of  New  York,  many  novel  measures  adopted  to 


MEMOIR  OF  ALVAN  HYDE. 


135 


promote  revivals,  and  many  errors  prevailing,  I  rejoice 
with  trembling.  I  feel  that  I  need  much  wisdom,  much 
grace,  and  not  a  little  bodily  strength.  My  rejoicing  is, 
that  the  Lord  can  carry  on  his  own  work — that  he  has 
mercy  on  whom  he  will  have  mercy,  and  that  he  can  bless 
the  weakest  means.  To  him  I  again  commit  myself,  my 
family  and  my  people." 

«  March  28,  1827. 

"  My  dear  Brother, 

"  I  have  received  three  letters  from  you,  since  I  have 
written.  My  time  has  been  so  completely  occupied  for 
three  months  past,  that  I  have  been  obliged  to  neglect  my 
correspondents,  though  I  love  you  and  the  rest  of  them 
as  much  as  ever.  The  attention  among  my  people  began 
with  the  commencement  of  the  year,  and  for  two  months 
has  been  the  most  powerful  I  ever  witnessed,  and  resulted 
in  more  conversions  than  I  have  ever  known  here,  or  in 
any  other  place.  We  seemingly  have  had  one  continued 
Sabbath.  The  members  of  the  church,  male  and  female, 
have  devoted  themselves  to  the  work,  and  I  have  attended 
two  and  three  meetings,  in  some  part  of  the  town,  every 
day  during  two  months,  and  have  been  in  a  meeting  every 
evening  excepting  Saturday,  and  yet  I  am  alive.  Deacon 

 ,  of  ,  labored  with  me  nearly  three  weeks,  and 

wrote  the  account  of  the  work  wliich  you  saw  in  the 
Observer.  Mr.  — —  was  here  longer,  and  it  was  more 
difficult  to  guide  him  than  all  the  others.  I  am  now 
alone,  and  the  work  as  powerful  as  ever.  I  never  per- 
formed so  much  labor  in  three  months,  and  never  felt  so 
much  solicitude  for  my  people ;  but  hitherto  the  Lord  has 
sustained  me.  I  have  sometimes  felt  that  I  should  sink 
under  the  weight  of  labors,  cares  and  anxieties.  More 
than  two  hundred  express  a  hope  of  having  passed  from 
death  unto  life.    I  have  had  an  inquiring  meeting  every 


136 


MEMOIR  OF 


week  since  January,  at  which  there  are  generally  not  less 
than  one  hundred  souls.  There  has  been  so  much  ex- 
citement, that  it  has  been  exceedingly  difficult  to  guide. 
I  do  not  expect  that  all  who  have  expressed  a  hope  will 
endure.  It  will  be  strange  if  they  should.  Some  appear 
remarkably  well.  In  many  instances  whole  families  are 
rejoicing  in  the  Lord,  and  the  number  of  new  praying 
'families  is  increased  beyond  any  thing  I  have  ever 
known. 

"  Mrs.  Hyde  unites  with  me  in  Christian  salutations  to 
you  and  your  wife." 

«  July  26,  1827. 

"  Dear  Friends, 

"  I  have  heard  nothing  from  you  for  several  months, 
and  am  ignorant  of  your  joys  and  sorrows.  Having 
children  abroad,  I  suppose  your  time  for  letter-writing  is 
principally  devoted  to  them.  My  own  time  has  been  so 
occupied  among  my  people  for  six  months  past,  that  I 
have  written  but  few  letters  to  distant  friends.  The  labors 
I  have  performed,  and  the  anxieties  I  have  endured,  have 
much  impaired  my  health,  and  rendered  me  incapable  of 
any  extra  service.  #  *  *  j  am  now  gathering  into 
the  fold  the  hopeful  subjects  of  divine  grace,  during  the 
great  revival  in  this  town  the  present  year.  On  the  first 
Sabbath  of  this  month,  we  received  fifty-two  into  the 
church,  thirty  of  whom  were  heads  of  families.  Seven- 
teen more  have  been  examined  and  propounded.  AVe 
expect  another  large  accession  the  next  communion.  Our 
meetings  are  still  frequent  and  solemn,  though  there  is  an 
abatement  of  that  engagedness  which  we  have  witnessed 
in  months  past.  The  Lord  hath  done  great  things  for  us, 
and  our  obligations  to  praise  him  for  his  sovereign  mercy, 
are  immense. 

"When  I  think  of  S.,  my  heart  is  deeply  affected. 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


137 


There  my  once  beloved  daughter  Lucy  finished  her  mor- 
tal course ;  there  lie  her  once  active  limbs  mingling  with 
their  native  dust;  and  there  are  the  kind  friends  who 
ministered  to  her  in  her  last  struggles.  May  the  Lord 
bless  you  all. 

"Sometimes  I  wish  to  visit  the  place  where  she  drew 
her  last  breath,  and  the  grave-yard  where  her  emaciated 
body  was  deposited  ;  at  other  times,  I  feel  as  though  the 
scene  would  overwhelm  me.  You,  my  friends,  have 
hitherto  been  preserved  from  drinking  of  such  bitter 
cups  as  have  been  presented  to  us.  I  hope  you  will  be 
thankful. 

"  Write  soon,  and  gratify  your  affectionate  friend." 

"  Dec.  17, 1827. 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  It  is  a  long  time  since  I  have  seen  you.  Why  did 
you  not  come  to  my  help  during  the  season  of  refreshing 
from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  which  we  enjoyed  last 
winter  and  spring  ?  I  know  you  saw  some  obstacles  in 
the  way  ;  but  I  thought  you  would  not  be  unmindful  of 
my  age  and  infirmities,  and  that  I  should  see  you  and 
have  your  assistance.  My  labors  and  anxieties  during  the 
whole  year,  have  been  very  great.  We  have  been  gather- 
ing into  the  fold  the  subjects  of  this  work,  and  have 
received  to  our  communion  one  hundred  and  seven.  All 
these  I  have  visited,  in  person,  and  some  of  them  repeat- 
edly, before  I  introduced  them  to  the  church.  It  has  been 
a  laborious  task,  though  interesting  and  pleasant.  Rarely 
have  I  been  out  of  this  town  for  a  year.  My  health  has 
become  considerably  impaired  ;  though  I  have  stood  in 
my  lot,  and  attended  several  meetings  every  week.  The 
present  number  of  this  church  is  three  hundred  and  fifty. 
When  I  think  of  having  all  these  under  my  pastoral  care 
12  * 


138 


MExMOIR  OF 


and  watch,  I  am  ready  to  exclaim,  as  the  apostle  did, 
'  Who  is  sufficient  for  these  things  ? '  Hitherto,  the 
Lord  has  sustained  me  under  my  labors  and  trials,  and  I 
desire  to  bless  his  holy  name. 

"  I  have  noticed  with  pain  the  dismission  of  ministers 
in  your  vicinity  and  in  other  parts  of  the  country.  The 
Head  of  the  church  is  frowning  upon  us.  Are  you  aware 
that  errors  and  delusions  are  creeping  into  the  church? 
What  work  men  are  making  of  the  religion  of  Jesus 
Christ  ?  I  greatly  fear  the  consequences  of  the  new 
measures  to  promote  revivals  of  religion  in  the  western 
part  of  the  State  of  New  York.  The  division  has  begun 
among  ministers,  and  among  those  who  are  called  evan- 
gelical ministers.  The  evil  is  incalculable.  Some  very 
popular  ministers,  called  orthodox,  in  your  State  and  in 
this,  are  rapidly  verging  towards  Pelagianism.  Never  did 
I  sec  the  church  in  greater  danger,  though  it  is  an  age  of 
revivals,  and  of  unparalleled  missionary  efforts.  May  the 
Lord  preserve  us  from  going  with  the  current.  We 
must  watch  and  pray." 

Birthday  reflections.  "Feb.  2,  1828.  The  patience 
and  forbearance  of  God  have  been  exercised  towards  me, 
threescore  years,  notwithstanding  all  my  ingratitude  and 
abuse  of  his  goodness.  I  am  now  classed  by  my  juniors, 
and  must  class  myself,  among  the  aged ;  though  it  seems 
but  yesterday  that  I  was  a  youth.  I  desire  to  record  the 
goodness  and  mercy  of  God,  and  to  praise  his  holy  name, 
that  during  another  year  of  my  pilgrimage  I  have  been 
favored  with  so  much  health  and  strength.  I  have  been 
permitted  to  witness  another  wonderful  work  of  divine 
grace  among  the  people  of  my  charge.  This  has  greatly 
increased  my  labors  and  anxieties ;  and  though  I  have  had 
many  trials  to  encounter,  and  some  which  have  arisen 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


139 


from  quarters  that  I  did  not  expect,  yet  the  Lord  has 
sustained  me,  and  suffered  me  to  stand  as  a  watchman. 
To  gather  the  converts  into  the  church  has  been  a  great 
work,  far  greater  than  after  any  former  revival — espe- 
cially to  lead  them  cordially  to  acquiesce  in  that  part  of 
the  Confession  of  Faith  adopted  by  the  church,  which 
makes  the  sinner  wholly  dependent  on  the  sovereign 
mercy  of  God.  There  is  at  this  time,  so  far  as  I  can 
learn,  a  prevailing  desire  throughout  the  land  to  have  this 
all-important  truth  explained  away.  Many  young  preach- 
ers, who  are  zealous  and  popular,  give  instructions  to 
sinners  which  savor  too  much  of  Arminianism,  and  the 
influence  of  such  instructions  is  spreading.  It  has  been 
felt  among  my  own  people  ;  but  God  is  above  men,  and  he 
can,  and  will,  support  his  own  truth.  Notwithstanding 
this  influence,  I  have  been  instrumental  of  bringing  one 
hundred  and  sixteen  souls  into  the  church,  since  last 
July.  I  trust  more  will  come  forward  and  join  themselves 
unto  the  Lord.  Others,  I  expect  will  go  back  to  the 
world ;  and  some  have  already  done  it,  who  for  a  time 
were  confident  of  their  good  estate.  I  have  lived  to 
embrace  a  number  as  disciples  of  Jesus,  of  whose  conver- 
sion I  had  nearly  despaired,  as  they  had  lived  through 
so  many  revivals.  Truly  may  I  say,  '  The  Lord  has  mercy 
on  whom  he  will  have  mercy.'  I  once  more  resign  myself, 
my  family,  and  people,  into  the  hands  of  Him  who  work- 
eth  all  things  according  to  the  counsel  of  his  own  will. 
May  his  grace  be  sufficient  for  me." 

"SepLU,  1828, 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  I  received,  some  weeks  since,  by  the  hand  of 
Mr.  H.,  a  very  valuable  present  from  you,  The  Remains 
of  our  dear  departed  friend.  Rev.  C.  Wilcox.  It  is  an 
interesting  volume,  and  will  be  read  with  pleasure  and 


140 


MEMOIR  OF 


profit  by  all  men  of  taste  and  piety.  Mr.  Wilcox,  as  an 
epistolary  writer,  as  a  poet,  and  as  a  divine,  was  pre- 
eminent for  one  of  his  years  and  advantages.  His  sermons 
far  exceed  my  expectations.  Though  dead,  he  has  often 
spoken  to  ray  people  at  the  third  meeting  on  the  Sabbath ; 
and  he  has  been  heard  with  deep  interest. 

"On  the  last  Sabbath  I  received  a  short  letter  from 
you,  giving  an  account  of  a  work  of  divine  grace  among 
the  dear  people  of  your  charge.  This  intelligence,  if  I 
mistake  not  my  own  feelings,  has  greatly  rejoiced  my 
heart.  May  the  Lord  guide  you  at  this  important  time, 
when  every  word  you  speak,  and  every  measure  you  adopt, 
will  have  such  a  lasting  influence  on  immortal  souls. 
Gladly  would  I  spend  a  few  days  with  you,  to  be  an  eye- 
witness of  what  the  Lord  is  doing  for  you  and  for  your 
people ;  but  I  have  been  so  much  from  my  own  people  of 
late  that  I  must  deny  myself  the  pleasure. 

"  Bear  us  on  your  heart,  when  you  approach  the  throne 
of  grace." 

«Z>ec.  18,  1828. 

"  Very  dear  Sir, 

"  Your  last  letter  relieved  my  mind  from  much 
anxiety  respecting  your  health.  From  the  accounts  I 
had  received,  I  concluded  you  would  be  laid  aside,  as  a 
broken  vessel,  for  this  winter,  if  not  finally.  It  seems  the 
Lord  of  the  harvest  has  suffered  you  to  resume  your  work. 
I  hope  he  gives  you  grace  to  be  very  humble  and  grateful. 
You  have  seen  a  season  of  '  refreshing  from  the  presence 
of  the  Lord,'  among  your  dear  people,  and  I  trust  the 
number  of  praying  persons  is  considerably  increased. 
Give  God  all  the  glory.  Human  wisdom  and  human 
efforts  never  humbled  the  proud  heart  of  any  one  of 
Adam's  fallen  race. 

"  I  have  exactly  the  same  views  of  the  best  means  of 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


141 


promoting  a  revival  of  religion,  which  you  so  cautiously 
expressed  in  one  of  your  late  letters.  Foreign  aid,  at 
such  times,  is  often  very  dangerous.  A  faithful,  praying, 
exemplary  minister,  is  clothed  with  salvation,  and  his  best 
aid  in  a  time  of  revival,  and  at  all  times,  is  a  praying  and 
active  church.  The  plan  of  sending  out  evangelists,  as 
revival  men,  where  there  are  settled  pastors,  is  no  i>art  of 
that  wisdom  which  is  from  above ;  it  comes  from  a  bad 
source.  If  pursued,  it  will  distract  and  rend  the  churches. 
It  is  to  me  strange,  that  some  of  my  brethren,  whom  I 
highly  value,  should  advocate  this  plan. 

"  We  are  about  to  publish  a  statistical  account  of  Berk- 
shire. This  has  led  me  to  take  a  retrospect  of  some 
events  which  have  occurred  during  my  ministry  of  more 
than  thirty-six  years.  In  this  time  624  have  died,  of 
whom  forty-four  had  passed  80  years.  Two  male  mem- 
bers of  the  church  only  remain,  who  were  in  town  when  I 
was  called  to  be  the  pastor.  I  have  received  634.  The 
present  number  is  between  350  and  360.  Four  stand 
propounded.  The  thought  of  having  such  a  charge  is,  at 
times,  overwhelming.  Some  of  those  who  appeared  to 
run  well,  begin  to  wander.  This  gives  me  great  pain. 
To  watch  over  so  many  souls  as  are  committed  to  my 
charge,  requires  much  wisdom,  much  grace,  and  more 
bodily  strength  than  I  now  possess.  I  attend  several 
meetings  each  week,  and,  at  this  season,  am  obliged  to 
be  out  evenings.  The  Wednesday  evening  conference, 
which  has  been  maintained  ever  since  my  ordination,  as 
it  is  a  movable  conference,  carries  me  some  distance 
from  home. 

"  I  have  mourned  over  the  unhappy  case  of  Mr.  , 

but  I  have  always  supposed  that  you  overrated  him.  You 
once  expressed  a  wish  to  me  that  he  might  be  honored 
by  some  of  our  colleges.    There  is  no  knowing  what  his 


142 


MEMOIR  OF 


religious  sentiments  will  be  ten  years  hence,  if  he  should 
live.  He  has  begun  to  go  off  in  a  tangent.  Lord,  what 
is  man  !  '  Nevertheless,  the  foundation  of  God  standeth 
sure,  having  this  seal,  The  Lord  knoweth  them  that 
are  his.'  " 

Birthday  reflections.  "Feb.  2,  1829.  This  day,  I 
stand  a  witness  for  the  holy  God,  of  his  wonderful 
patience  and  forbearance  exercised  towards  the  chief  of 
sinners.  In  his  great  mercy,  he  has  borne  with  my  in- 
gratitude and  unfaithfulness,  as  a  parent  and  as  a  minister 
another  year.  I  desire  to  record  his  goodness,  in  pre- 
serving my  health  and  activity,  so  that  I  have  been  able 
to  enter  his  courts  every  Sabbath,  and  to  dispense  his 
word,  and  to  attend,  on  an  average,  three  meetings, 
besides  those  on  the  Sabbath,  every  week.  In  his  good 
providence,  he  has  given  me  opportunity  to  attend  many 
interesting  meetings  abroad,  especially  the  anniversaries 
in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  the  General  Association  of 
Massachusetts.  On  the  last  mentioned  occasion,  I  had 
a  call  to  preach,  in  the  hearing  of  a  large  number  of 
ministers. 

"  During  the  year,  I  have  been  instrumental  of  re- 
ceiving more  than  thirty  into  the  church.  But  the 
Lord  has  not  left  me  without  some  severe  trials,  occa- 
sioned by  an  unchristian  spirit  in  some  of  the  members  of 
the  church,  and  by  the  backsliding  of  some  of  the  young 
converts. 

"  I  have  witnessed  a  remarkable  check  to  the  progress 
of  intemperance  among  my  own  people,  and  throughout 
the  land,  in  which,  the  hand  of  a  wonder-working  God 
has  been  visible  ;  and  also  a  check  to  the  open  violations 
of  the  Sabbath. 

"  The  Lord  has  graciously  preserved  the  lives  of  my 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


143 


companion  and  six  sons,  and  has  not  suffered  death  to 
enter  my  family  circle. 

"  And  now,  as  in  his  presence,  I  renewedly  dedicate 
myself  and  my  surviving  children  to  him,  to  be  his  forever 
and  ever.  May  the  Lord  have  mercy  on  us,  and  save  us 
with  an  everlasting  salvation.  To  him  let  all  the  glory 
be  given." 

"  July  6,  1829, 

"  Dear  Sir, 

*  #  *  (( fpjjg  floodgates  are  now  open,  and  the 
desolating  evils,  which  I  have  long  expected,  are  begin- 
ning to  be  realized.  Many  churches  have  lost  their  sta- 
bility of  character,  and  purity  of  doctrine.  The  hands  of 
ministers  are  weakened,  in  consequence  of  a  certain 
course  of  things ;  and  a  spirit  has  gone  abroad,  against 
the  influence  of  which,  all  reasoning  is  without  avail.  I 
have  heretofore  spoken  my  mind  to  you  freely  on  this 
subject.  The  Lord  in  his  great  faithfulness  is  correcting 
his  people,  and  we  deserve  it ;  for  we  have  not  given  him 
the  honor  and  glory,  when  we  have  been  eye-witnesses  of 
the  great  things  he  has  done  for  us.  Old  errors  are 
springing  up  again  to  try  the  faith  of  God's  people.  But 
Zion's  God  reigns." 

"Jan.  18,  1830. 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  I  had  a  few  moments  with  Mr.  B.  on  his  return, 
who  gave  me  a  short  letter  from  you,  for  which  accept 
my  thanks.  I  rejoice  to  hear  of  the  health  of  your  family, 
and  regret  to  learn,  that  you  are  still  suffering  from  the 
complaint,  which  attended  you  many  years  ago.  I  hope 
you  are  enabled  to  view  it  as  Paul  viewed  his  thorn  in 
the  flesh,  a  needful  correction ;  and  that  you  will  be 
abundantly  consoled,  as  he  was,  with  the  promise,  '  My 
grace  is  sufficient  for  thee.' 


144 


MEMOIR  OF 


"I  perceive  you  have  some  trouble  among  your  people, 
growing  out  of  temperance  movements  and  sectarian  zeal. 
This  is  not  strange  in  this  fallen  world,  and  should  not 
operate  as  a  discouragement.  Such  battles  we  must  ex- 
pect to  fight ;  and  to  hope  for  suceess,  we  must  put  on 
the  whole  armor  of  God.  We  are  too  apt  to  put  on  Saul's 
armor,  and  rely  on  our  own  wisdom  and  strength.  When 
we  do  this,  w'e  must  expect  defeat  and  mortification. 
*  *  *  It  is  a  time  of  great  security  in  sin,  throughout 
this  section  of  country  so  far  as  I  know.  I  tremble  for 
the  churches,  because  there  is  such  indifference  mani- 
fested, with  respect  to  the  peculiar  doctrines  of  the  cross. 
It  is  dangerous  to  spread  their  sails,  they  have  so  little 
ballast.  How  much  reason,  however,  we  have  to  rejoice 
that  Zion's  God  reigneth,  and  that  he  is  overturning,  and 
preparing  the  way  for  the  exhibition  of  a  holy  kingdom, 
purified  from  error  and  dross.  *  *  *  Remember  your 
children  are  mortal.  Once  you  stood  alone,  now  you  are 
a  broad  mark  for  trials." 

Birthday  reflections.  "Feb.  2,  1830.  The  anniver- 
sary of  the  day  in  which  I  first  drew  the  breath  of  life 
and  commenced  an  immortal  existence,  has  returned.  On 
a  review  of  my  pilgrimage,  which  has  been  protracted 
beyond  the  most  of  those  who  came  on  to  the  stage  with 
rae,  I  find  innumerable  mercies  to  acknowledge,  all  of 
which  have  flowed  to  me,  an  unworthy  and  vile  sinner, 
through  that  wonderful  channel  whioli  my  Lord  and  Saviour 
opened,  when  he  died  on  the  cross.  I  think  I  have 
been  enabled  to  have  a  brighter  sense  of  the  character 
and  mediation  of  Christ,  and  of  my  amazing  indebtedness 
to  him,  the  year  past,  than  in  any  former  year.  Truly 
Christ  crucified  is  the  wisdom  of  God  and  the  power  of 
God.  Not  the  least  ray  of  hope  can  I  discern  for  myself 
or  others,  only  on  the  ground  of  his  righteousness.  To 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


145 


his  atonement  and  intercession  am  I  wholly  indebted  for 
the  blessings  I  enjoy,  both  temporal  and  spiritual.  And 
now,  as  in  the  presence  of  God,  I  call  upon  my  soul  and 
all  that  is  within  me  to  bless  Him,  who  is  the  author  of 
my  existence  and  the  preserver  of  my  life,  that  I  am  con- 
tinued in  the  world  until  this  day.  I  here  record  anew 
his  mercy  and  patience,  in  favoring  me  with  health, 
activity,  and  reason,  beyond  what  is  common  to  those  who 
have  reached  my  age.  I  desire  to  bless  him  that  I  am 
allowed  to  officiate  as  a  minister  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  to 
guide  the  flock  committed  to  my  charge  when  but  a 
youth ;  and  that  I  have  witnessed  its  increase,  notwith- 
standing the  ravages  of  death.  Some  special  providences 
have  occurred  in  relation  to  certain  individuals  in  the 
church,  who  for  some  years  have  manifested  an  unchris- 
tian spirit,  and  occasioned  many  anxieties  in  my  mind. 
I  desire  to  keep  his  hand  in  view  in  all  the  changes  I 
witness  from  year  to  year,  and  pray  that  I  may  be  kept 
humble,  and  be  guided  by  his  Holy  Spirit.  One  genera- 
tion has  passed  away  since  I  commenced  my  labors  in 
this  town,  and  I  am  now  attempting  to  guide  and  instruct 
a  new  one.  O  that  a  sense  of  my  responsibility  might  be 
deeply  impressed  upon  my  mind,  and  may  his  grace  be 
sufficient  for  me." 


"April  13,  1830. 

"Dear  Sir, 

*  *  *  "I  notice  with  much  trembling  the  progress 
of  error  in  this  land  and  in  the  churches  of  New  England. 
The  New  Haven  scheme  of  theology  is  a  broad  step-stone 
to  ArminianrSm.  You  may  possibly  live  to  have  your 
attachment  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  brought  to  a  severe 
test.  The  doctrines  of  sovereign  grace  are  more  and 
more  discarded.  But  let  us  stand  fast  in  the  Lord. 
Zion's  king  is  greater  than  men."  *  *  * 
13 


146 


MEMOIR  OF 


"July  8,  1830. 

"  My  dear  Friends, 

"  I  learn  by  a  letter  from  S.  A.  to  her  sister,  that  you 
have  once  more  been  brought  under  the  chastening  hand 
of  the  Lord.  Sickness  has  been  sent  into  your  house, 
and  death  has  invaded  your  family  circle,  and  another 
promising  grandchild  has  fallen.  Your  sufferings,  your 
anxieties  and  your  bereavements  have  all  been  the  order- 
ing of  that  holy  God,  who  has  been  faithfully  teaching 
you,  all  your  days,  to  be  wise  for  eternity.  If  he  had  not 
seen  it  necessary,  he  would  not  have  laid  upon  you  this 
rod.  Perhaps  you  are  all  making  too  great  account  of 
this  world,  and  too  much  undervaluing  Christ,  who  died 
for  you.  In  my  own  case,  I  have  thought  it  to  be  a 
mortifying  and  humiliating  consideration,  that  I  needed 
so  many  corrections.  May  the  Lord  sanctify  to  you  and 
your  children  the  dispensations  of  his  providence,  so  that 
you  will  all  soon  say  from  your  hearts,  '  It  is  good  we  have 
been  afflicted.'  " 

On  the  same  occasion,  he  wrote  to  the  parents  as  fol- 
lows : 

"  Afflicted  Friends, 

"  I  sincerely  condole  with  )ou  in  the  sore  bereave- 
ment you  have  experienced.  The  Lord  has  again  blighted 
your  fondest  hopes,  in  taking  from  your  arms  and  from 
your  bosom  another  dear  and  promising  son.  I  pity  you 
— I  know  how  to  feel  for  you,  having  been  called  to  drink 
repeatedly  of  similar  bitter  cups.  I  hope  these  trying 
scenes  will  be  sanctified  to  your  souls,  and  that  you  will 
no  longer  neglect  the  great  salvation.  All  the  glory  of 
this  world  is  as  the  flower  of  the  field,  but  the  word  of  the 
Lord  endureth  forever.  Go,  my  friends,  to  the  Saviour 
for  comfort.    Accept  our  love  and  sympathy." 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


147 


«  Oct.  8,  1830. 

"  My  dear  Friend, 

"  I  thank  you  for  your  letter  of  the  17th  ult.  by 
Mr.  L.  You  had  not  before  written  me  for  many  years, 
and  I  began  to  draw  the  conclusion  that  you  had  entirely 
laid  aside  your  pen.  When  I  was  at  F.  last,  I  saw  you 
but  a  few  moments,  as  you  was  occupied  with  some 
public  business.  Once  we  were  young  together,  but  now 
we  are  old  and  grey-headed.  I  have  passed  through  many 
changes  and  trials.  The  Lord  gave  us  eleven  children, 
and  I  have  many  times  come  around  the  family  altar 
with  ten.  My  daughters  Harriet  and  Lucy  are  both 
dead,  and  three  of  my  sons,  Alvan,  Charles,  and  Chaun- 
cey.  Only  one  son  is  now  with  us.  You  have  had  no 
family  of  your  own,  yet  you  have  followed  to  the  grave 
the  most  of  your  early  acquaintance,  and  I  believe  all 
your  father's  brothers  and  sisters.  The  grave,  my  dear 
friend,  awaits  us.  You  have  now  reached  the  age  of  my 
father,  when  he  died,  viz.  sixty-six.  The  day  of  reckoning 
will  certainly  come.  And  what  should  we  do  as  sinners, 
were  it  not  for  Jesus  Christ  ?  I  hope  you  have  that  peace 
which  he  gives,  and  which  he  alone  can  give. 

"  That  you  may  have  much  of  God's  presence  in  the 
evening  of  your  days,  is  the  prayer  of  your  old  friend  and 
servant." 

"JVor.  16,  1830, 

"  My  dear  Nephew, 

"  I  thank  you  for  the  catalogue  of  your  college  lately 
received.  Ours  is  not  yet  printed,  or  I  would  send  you  a 
copy.  Your  cousin  A.  is  now  a  member  of  college,  and  I 
have  many  anxieties  for  him,  as  he  is  in  a  new  situation 
and  surrounded  with  many  temptations.  I  hope  you  feel 
the  importance  of  sustaining  a  reputable  character,  both 
as  a  scholar,  and  as  a  youth  looking  forward  to  some 


148 


MEMOIR  OF 


useful  sphere  in  life.  Your  parents  have  done  much  for 
you,  and  if  you  should  disappoint  their  hopes,  by  any 
untoward  beliavior,  or  by  neglecting  your  present  advan- 
tages, you  will  bring  their  grey  hairs  with  sorrow  to  the 
grave.  I  know  their  solicitude  for  you,  by  my  own  ex- 
perience. If  you  love  them,  as  I  presume  you  do,  let 
them  have  the  consolation  of  knowing,  that  you  are  watch- 
ful of  your  conduct,  and  that  you  have  the  esteem  of  your 
instructors  and  of  all  the  members  of  the  institution. 
Avoid  the  company  of  those  who  cast  off  the  fear  of  God, 
and  who  indulge  in  habits  of  dissipation,  as  you  would 
shun  a  contagious  disease.  You  are  now  passing  through 
an  interesting  period  of  your  life.  Fail  not  of  being  a 
close  student,  and  of  forming  correct  habits.  Do  this, 
and  you  may  be  assured  of  being  beloved  and  respected. 
On  the  other  hand,  if  you  disregard  the  counsel  of  those 
who  feel  an  interest  in  you,  evils  inexpressible  will  follow. 
You  will  lose  all  the  advantages  which  have  been  bestowed 
upon  you,  and  grieve  the  hearts  of  your  friends. 

"  I  write  as  freely  to  you,  as  I  do  to  my  own  sons,  and 
I  feel  an  obligation  to  do  it,  as  you  bear  up  the  name  of 
one  of  my  sons,  who  departed  this  life  at  the  age  of  seven- 
teen, and  a  little  before  your  birth." 

«/?ec.  9,  1830. 

"  Rev,  and  dear  Brother, 

"  I  have  often  thought  of  you  and  Mrs.  P.  since  the 
death  of  your  beloved  son  at  W.,  whom  I  highly  esteemed, 
and  whose  increasing  usefulness  was  noticed  by  his  and 
your  friends  with  great  satisfaction.  It  was  truly  a  myste- 
rious Providence,  in  view  of  which  I  know  your  mind  can 
find  nothing  to  assuage  grief,  but  in  humble  submission  to 
the  divine  will.  I  have  tasted  repeatedly  of  similar  cups, 
and  on  that  account,  can  say  with  more  readiness  and 
freedom,  I  sympathize  with  you  and  your  bereaved  family. 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


149 


Such  events  are  wisely  fitted  to  show  us  the  emptiness  of 
tliis  world,  and  the  importance  of  resting  all  our  hopes  on 
the  blessed  Saviour.  He  is  unchangeably  the  same.  *  *  * 
"  You  and  I  are  now  among  the  oldest  ministers  on  the 
stage.  I  suppose  you  must  have  passed  the  common 
bound  of  human  life,  threescore  years  and  ten.  How 
astonishing  is  the  patience  of  God  towards  us !  and  I 
must  add,  Irow  little  have  I  done  for  his  glory  !  " 

«  i>ec.  24,  1830. 

"  Dear  Friends, 

"By  letters  from  cousin  L.  A.,  I  have  had  knowledge 
of  God's  dealings  with  you^  in  the  long  and  distressing 
sickness  of  your  beloved  son  J.,  which  has  finally  resulted 
in  his  removal  from  your  care,  and  from  this  world.  He 
has  gone  to  give  up  his  account  to  the  righteous  Being 
who  made  him,  and  he  will  no  more  return  to  you.  It  is 
the  first  breach  among  your  numerous  offspring,  and  you 
will  find  it  to  be  a  great  one  indeed.  I  know  from  my 
own  experience,  that  your,  minds  have  been  filled  with 
anxious  solicitude,  while  he  was  struggling  with  the  dis- 
ease which  terminated  his  life,  watching  all  his  symptoms, 
and  eagerly  catching  at  the  least  gleam  of  hope  in  his  case. 
When  you  saw  the  hand  of  the  Lord  laid  upon  him,  you 
were  doubtless  convicted  in  your  consciences  of  great 
unfaithfulness  to  him,  while  in  health  and  when  under 
your  immediate  care,  as  parents.  That  promising  son, 
God  in  his  faithfulness  has  taken  from  you,  arid  your  next 
meeting  will  be  at  the  judgment-seat  of  Christ.  Such 
thoughts  must  revolve  in  your  minds,  as  you  contemplate 
this  solemn  event.  I  have  sensibly  felt  for  you,  I  have 
pitied  you,  and  I  have  often  attempted  to  pray  for  you, 
that  you  might  be  sustained  under  this  righteous  rebuke, 
and  be  kept  from  dishonoring  God.  The  sickness  and 
death  of  J.,  as  he  was  from  home,  brought  fresh  to  my 
13  * 


150 


MEMOIR  OF 


mind  the  peculiar  providences  of  God  in  relation  to  us, 
in  the  sickness  and  death  of  our  dear  children,  Lucy  and 
Chauncey,  the  former  of  whom  languished  and  expired 
in  your  house,  and  before  your  eyes.  In  view  of  such 
scenes,  how  empty  and  fading  all  earthly  things  appear ! 
But,  my  dear  afflicted  friends,  they  are  manifestations  of 
God's  faithfulness  to  our  souls  and  the  souls  of  our  sur- 
viving children.  I  hope  and  pray  that  this  heavy  trial 
will  be  sanctified  to  you  all,  and  that  it  may  be  the  means, 
through  the  agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  of  your  being 
quickened  in  duty,  and  saved  from  your  sins. 

"  Your  dear  deceased  son  was  twice  at  my  house,  and 
I  found  him  to  be  an  uncommonly  active  and  intelligent 
youth.  He  rendered  himself  very  agreeable  to  us,  and 
I  have  supposed  his  worldly  prospects  were  as  good  as  you 
could  desire  ;  but  they  are  all  blasted,  and  the  disappoint- 
ment is  great.  To  comfort  your  souls,  I  must  point  you 
to  Christ,  the  believer's  portion,  who  is  the  same  yesterday, 
to-day,  and  forever. 

"  Accept  from  me  and  my  wife  our  tender  sympathies 
and  Christian  salutations." 

Birthday  reflections.  "Feb.  2,  1&31.  The  long  suf- 
fering of  God,  which  I  cannot  sufficiently  admire,  has 
protracted  my  life  until  the  return  of  another  anniversary 
of  my  birth.  When  I  consider  how  ungrateful  I  have 
been  during  my  whole  pilgrimage,  and  how  unfaithful  in 
all  the  relations  of  life,  especially  as  a  parent  and  as  a 
minister  of  the  gospel,  I  cannot  but  view  his  patience 
and  loving  kindness  manifested  towards  me,  as  being 
wonderful.  To  the  mediation  and  intercession  of  my 
Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  I  am  wholly  indebted, 
that  I  have  not  been  cut  down  as  a  cumberer  in  his 
vineyard,  and  that  I  have  been  favored  with  so  much 
liealth  and  strength,  and  enjoyed  so  many  precious  gospel 


ALVAN  HYDE.  151 

seasons.  On  a  review  of  God's  mercies  the  year  past,  I 
feel  constrained  to  praise  him,  that  my  labors  as  a  min- 
ister have  not  been  interrupted  by  ill  health.  I  have 
been  able  to  preach  every  Sabbath,  at  home  or  abroad, 
and  to  attend  three  and  sometimes  four  meetings  between 
each  Sabbath.  God  has  enabled  me  also  to  perform 
several  journeys,  and  to  visit  my  sons  at  the  west,  and  to 
preach  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Jesus  Christ  in  several 
places  where  .1  never  before  had  spoken.  In  the  church 
committed  to  my  care,  there  has  been  an  uncommon 
quiet,  though  but  little  spiritual  life.  Few  have  been 
added  to  our  number.  I  have  often  trembled  to  witness 
the  coldness  and  indifference  manifested  by  the  church, 
with  respect  to  Christ  and  his  cause,  and  the  salvation  of 
souls.  I  have  also  been  conscious  of  partaking  largely  of 
the  same  unholy  spirit,  which  has  sometimes  been  a  great 
burden  to  my  soul.  To  the  mercy  of  God  I  once  more 
commit  myself,  my  family,  my  church,  and  people  ;  and 
to  his  rigliteous  disposal,  I  commit  my  poor  imperfect 
labors.  O  that  I  may  have  a  brighter,  and  more  abiding 
sense  of  his  glory  ;  that  for  me  to  live  may  be  Christ,  and 
to  die  may  be  gain." 

"  Feb.  26,  1831. 

"My  dear  Sir, 

"  The  Lord  Jesus,  in  his  infinite  compassion,  has 
again  come  into  this  place  by  his  Holy  Spirit,  and  is 
favoring  this  ungrateful  and  sinful  people  with  another 
gracious  visit.  I  have  seen  tokens  of  his  presence  for 
four  or  five  weeks.  The  last  two  weeks  have  been  re- 
markable for  the  frequency  and  solemnity  of  our  meetings. 
Several  obstinate  sinners,  perhaps  sixteen  or  seventeen, 
have  expressed  a  hope  of  having  passed  from  death  unto 
life.  At  the  anxious  meeting,  last  Monday  evening,  more 
than  seventy  were  present  in  the  lower  room  of  the  school- 


152 


MEMOIR  OF 


house,  while  the  cliurcli  were  praying  above.  Many  of 
them  had  but  a  faint  sense  of  the  exceeding  wickedness 
of  their  hearts  ;  but  some  had  deep  feelings.  Greater 
excitement  I  have  never  seen  among  my  people ;  but 
W'hat  the  result  will  be,  I  know  not.  I  have  been  speak- 
ing all  this  week,  from  morning  till  nine  o'clock  at  night. 
I  am  alone,  and  greatly  desire  you  would  come  and  assist 
me  a  few  days.  I  write  in  haste,  as  t  have  soon  to  meet 
an  appointment  this  morning.  Pray  for  your  fellow- 
laborer,  now  aged  ;  pray  for  this  church  and  people ;  pray 
that  we  may  be  all  guided  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  that  we 
may  not  fail  to  give  the  glory  to  God." 

"  Sept.  19,  1831. 

"Dear  Sir, 

"  Most  gladly  would  I  be  with  you  and  your  people 
the  present  week,  and  try  to  aid  you,  if  I  could  do  it  con- 
sistently ;  but  I  have  been  so  much  from  home  the  past 
summer,  that  I  feel  compelled  to  decide  against  going. 
Duty  calls  me  to  attend  to  my  own  neglected  vineyard.  I 
have  attended  protracted  meetings  in  si.x  different  places, 
reckoning  one  with  my  own  people.  They  may  be  very 
useful,  if  properly  conducted.  They  have  been  appar- 
ently blessed  in  many  instances;  but  there  is  great  danger 
of  depending  on  means,  and  of  losing  sight  of  the  testi- 
mony of  God,  where  he  says,  'Not  by  might,  nor  by 
power,  but  by  my  Spirit  saith  the  Lord.' 

"  The  church  and  world  are  in  a  state  of  commotion. 
While  there  is  great  excitement  in  almost  every  place,  there 
is  a  disposition  to  pull  down.  The  watchmen  must  stand 
firm,  preach  faithfully,  and  pray  fervently.  We  all  need 
to  be  chastised  with  many  stripes,  to  be  mortified  to  all 
worldly  applause,  and  brought  down  into  the  valley  of 
humiliation.  May  the  Lord  be  with  you,  and  all  your 
brethren  in  the  ministry  who  may  be  aiding  you  the 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


153 


present  week  ;  and  may  your  efforts  and  movements  be 
guided  by  the  Holy  Spirit. 

"  Last  week  we  had  an  anniversary  of  our  Sabbath 
school,  which  was  very  interesting  and  cheering.  More 
than  four  hundred  youth  and  children  were  present,  who 
were  attached  to  the  Sabbath  school." 

"  Oct.  19,  1831. 

"  My  dear  Brother, 

"I  have  been  informed  by  Miss  S.,  who  attended 
one  day,  during  the  protracted  meetings  at  E.,  that  the 
efforts  apparently  excited  but  a  little  interest  among  your 
people,  until  near  the  close.  This  was  wisely  fitted  to 
show  you  your  dependence  on  God,  and  the  great  danger 
of  relying  on  means,  in  opening  the  eyes  of  those  who 
were  born  blind.  I  hope  it  had  this  effect  on  your  mind, 
and  on  the  minds  of  your  praying  people.  The  disease 
of  the  heart  is  too  deeply  rooted  to  be  cured  by  human 
skill.  'Not  by  might,  nor  by  power,  but  by  my  Spirit, 
saith  the  Lord  of  hosts.'  Miss  S.  thinks  you  had  more 
tokens  of  God's  presence  the  week  after  these  special 
meetings,  than  when  you  were  making  your  greatest 
efforts,  and  that  quite  a  number  expressed  a  hope  of 
having  passed  from  death  unto  life.  If  this  be  a  fact,  let 
God  have  all  the  glory.  None  is  due  to  you,  nor  to  any 
arm  of  flesh. 

"  I  learn  that  continued  meetings  are  to  be  holden, 
the  present  week,  at  F.,  and  have  been  requested  to  be 
present.  I  should  truly  be  glad  to  speak  to  my  kindred 
according  to  the  flesh,  and  the  children  of  my  early 
acquaintance,  on  that  occasion.  But  I  am  stationed  as  a 
watchman  on  this  part  of  Zion's  walls,  and  I  find  much 
to  do.  It  is  not  easy  to  break  away  from  my  staled  labors. 
We  have  received  thirty-nine  into  the  church  since  July, 
and  we  shall  probably  receive  several  more  in  November. 


154 


MEMOIR  OF 


I  have  been  making  an  effort  to  rescue  the  Sabbath  from 
profanation,  and  have  obtained  in  this  town  five  hundred 
subscribers  to  a  pledge,  that  they  will  abstain  from  all 
violations  of  that  sacred  day,  and  use  their  influence  to 
have  their  families  and  others  do  the  same.  Such  a  step, 
as  you  probably  know,  was  recommended  by  the  General 
Association  of  this  State.   I  think  it  may  result  in  good. 

"  Two  of  the  churches,  in  this  county,  are  now  without 
pastors — Otis  and  North  Stockbridge.  In  the  former 
place  there  is  at  this  time  unusual  attention  to  religion, 
under  the  preaching  of  a  Mr.  P.  Mr.  W.,  of  Sandisfield, 
is  on  the  borders  of  a  dismission,  and  will  probably  be 
broken  up.  The  people  imagine  he  is  not  great  enough 
for  them.  The  minister  of  E.  is  nearly  discouraged — but 
as  he  came  to  consult  me,  I  labored  to  dissuade  him  from 
his  purpose.  Thus  you  see  we  have  evils  to  encounter. 
We  deserve  them — and  we  need  them.  Berkshire  has 
long  been  a  favored  spot,  and  we  have  gloried  in  our 
union  and  strength,  and  I  fear  we  have  provoked  God  to 
come  out  against  us,  and  to  stain  the  pride  of  our  glory. 

"I  have  this  day  been  to  visit  Judge  W.,  who  appears 
to  be  drawing  near  the  close  of  life.  He  has  very  little 
mind  left.  It  has  been  an  instructive  lesson  to  me. 
O  that  I  may  profit  by  it.  He  is  only  sixteen  years  older 
than  myself,  and  is  entirely  worn  out." 

"  Jan.  30,  1832. 

"  My  dear  Brother, 

"  I  have  a  desire  to  know  how  you  succeed  in  the 
great  work  of  the  ministry  at  E.,  and  this  induces  me  to 
take  up  my  pen  and  to  entreat  you  to  write  me  at  length 
on  the  subject.  You  have  now  been  there  long  enough 
to  understand  something  of  the  state  of  the  field  in  which 
you  are  called  to  labor,  and  what  efforts  are  peculiarly 
necessary  for  a  hopeful  prospect  of  doing  good.  That 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


155 


you  have  your  trials  and  discouragements  I  have  no 
doubt.  No  minister  is  without  them,  nor  would  it  be 
safe  for  any  one  of  them  to  spend  his  days  in  constant 
sunshine.  I  hope  you  will  bear  with  the  ignorance, 
apathy,  and  opposition  of  the  people,  as  becomes  a  good 
soldier  of  Jesus  Christ.  Your  field  is  sufficiently  large, 
and  I  hope  God  will  give  you  wisdom  and  strength,  and 
patience  and  perseverance,  to  cultivate  it.  Let  me  exhort 
you  to  keep  the  example  of  Christ  before  your  eyes,  and 
also  to  remember,  that  it  is  fidelity  and  not  success,  which 
he  will  reward. 

"The  death  of  your  class  mate.  Rev.  C.  ,J.,  is  an 
affecting  providence  to  me,  and  probably  more  so  to 
you.  He  was  licensed  to  preach,  at  my  house,  thirteen 
years  ago.  I  always  admired  his  modesty,  and  regarded 
him  as  a  man  of  uncommon  intellect,  refined  taste,  and 
unaffected  humility.  He  stood  high  among  his  brethren. 
The  church  has  sustained  a  great  loss  in  his  early  re- 
moval from  this  world.  I  may  say  the  same  with  respect 
to  the  death  of  Rev.  Mr.  M.  of  N.,  and  Rev.  Mr.  S.  of  P. 
They  were  all  prominent  men,  and  all  in  the  midst  of 
their  days. 

"  I  am  yet  continued  a  laborer  in  that  part  of  the  vine- 
yard which  I  entered  in  my  youth.  I  am,  however,  trying 
to  do  good  to  another  generation,  having  done  with  those 
who  were  first  committed  to  my  charge.  Many  of  the 
grandchildren  of  the  early  members  of  the  church  are 
now  among  the  most  active  and  efficient  members.  For 
more  than  two  months  past,  beside  preaching  on  the  Sab- 
bath, I  have  attended  four  and  sometimes  ,five  evening 
meetings  every  week  There  has  been  something  of  a 
waking  up  in  the  church.  I  have  called  the  church 
together  in  the  various  districts,  and  have  conversed  with 
the;m  individually  on  the  subject  of  personal  religion.  It 
has  been  a  pleasant  but  arduous  work.    I  found  some  of 


156 


MEMOIR  OF 


them  exhibiting  signs  of  life,  but  many  of  them  asleep, 
and  almost  dead,  but  none  of  them  willing  to  give  up  their 
hope  in  Christ.  Next  Thursday,  we  have  a  day  of  fasting 
and  prayer.  I  wish  you  could  be  with  us.  There  are 
some  instances  of  special  feeling. 

"  I  am  now  advanced  in  life,  having  nearly  completed 
sixty-four  years.  I  know  that  I  must  soon  retire  from  my 
labors,  and  go  the  way  of  all  the  earth.  I  am  ready  to 
say  as  deacon  W.  of  D.,  on  his  death-bed,  said  to  me — 
*  I  have  been,  in  some  measure,  active,  but  I  have  spoiled 
all  I  have  done,  by  having  no  more  regard  to  the  glory 
of  God.'  Or  as  Dr.  Manton — '  Perdidi  vitam  nil  operose 
agendo.'  " 

Birthday  reflections.  "Feb.  2,  J 833.  This  anniver- 
sary of  my  birth  has  not  occurred,  without  an  affecting 
sense  of  the  rapid  flight  of  time,  and  of  my  near  approach 
to  eternal  scenes.  I  can  adopt  the  words  of  the  Psalmist, 
'  We  spend  our  years  as  a  tale  that  is  told.'  A  season  of 
fasting  and  prayer,  which  I  have  observed  with  the  people 
of  my  charge,  has  added  to  the  solemnity  of  this  anniver- 
sary. I  have  heard  one  and  another  of  my  brethren  pray 
earnestly  for  their  pastor,  as  being  an  old  man,  whose 
work  is  almost  done.  Of  this  solemn  fact  may  I  have  an 
abiding  sense.  Though  advanced  in  life,  my  health  is 
continued,  and  during  the  whole  year  I  have  not  been 
kept  from  preaching  a  single  Sabbath,  nor  have  I  ever 
attended  more  meetings  on  week  days,  in  any  one  year  of 
my  ministry.  It  has  been  one  of  the  years  of  the  right 
hand  of  the  Most  High.  A  cloud  of  mercy  has  come 
over  us,  and  blessings  have  been  showered  down  upon  us. 
I  have  been  permitted  to  witness  a  number  of  striking 
instances  of  conversion  from  sin  to  holiness,  in  which  the 
sovereign  power  of  God  has  been  wonderfully  displayed. 
In  the  course  of  the  year,  forty  persons  have  united  with 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


157 


the  church.  This  has  rejoiced  my  heart ;  though  I  have 
never  seen  so  much  reason  to  humble  and  condemn 
myself,  as  I  have  the  last  year.  All  my  labors  have  been 
full  of  imperfection — full  of  sin.  Wliat  should  I  do,  if  it 
were  not  for  the  atonement  and  intercession  of  Christ  ? 
Lord,  help  my  unbelief  Lord,  cleanse  my  heart.  My 
rebellion  against  God  has  brought  upon  me  many  severe 
trials,  which  I  do  not  make  known  to  others. 

Yet  I  desire  this  day  to  remember  and  to  record  some 
of  the  peculiar  mercies  of  God,  manifested  to  me  and  my 
family,  the  year  past.  Two  of  my  sons,  W.  and  E.,  have 
appeared  openly  on  the  side  of  Christ,  and  have  publicly 
professed  religion.  I  have  heard  them  pray  in  my  family, 
and  in  social  meetings  for  prayer.  I  now  greatly  value 
their  correspondence,  and  desire  to  be  thankful  that  the 
Lord  who  bereaved  me  of  my  praying  children  some 
years  ago,  has  raised  up  others  to  pray  for  their  parents. 
I  desire  also  to  bless  God,  that  my  son  J.  has  chosen  for  a 
companion  a  professed  disciple  of  Christ,  who,  I  ardently 
hope,  will  be  instrumental  of  saving  his  soul. 

"I  now  give  up  myself,  my  companion,  my  children 
and  grandchildren,  my  church  and  people,  and  my  all,  to 
God,  and  desire  to  glory  in  him  alone." 

<*Jlpril6, 1832. 

"  My  dear  Sir, 

"  On  Monday  evening,  after  the  concert,  I  took  up 
the  newspaper  at  Mr.  T.'s,  and  saw  a  notice  of  the  death 
of  your  son  E.  It  made  a  deep  impression  on  my  mind. 
I  was  conscious,  at  once,  that  you  and  your  wife  had  been 
cajled  to  pass  through  a  scene,  to  the  pains  of  which, 
God  had  suffered  you  to  be  strangers.  I  knew  nothing  of 
the  circumstances,  nor  was  this  very  important.  Death 
had  entered  your  family,  and  you  had  drunk  of  a  cup,  of 
which  you  had  never  before  tasted.  One  of  your  number, 
14 


158 


MEMOIR  OF 


an  immortal  being,  was  gone.  I  attempted  to  bring  your 
case  before  God,  and  interceded  with  him  to  sustain  you, 
by  keeping  your  minds  on  that  which  is  of  more  impor- 
tance than  children.  Little  did  I  think,  that  a  second 
stroke  from  the  rod,  and  still  heavier,  would  be  seen  by 
Him,  who  had  lifted  it  up,  to  be  necessary.  During  the 
intermission  on  Thursday,  the  day  of  our  Fast,  your 
letter  was  put  into  my  hands,  informing  me  of  what  God 
had  done  in  your  house,  and  that  you  had  followed  two  of 
your  children  to  the  grave.  At  the  close  of  the  meeting, 
I  read  this  letter  to  the  congregation,  that  the  people  to 
whom  you  are  known,  might  have  knowledge  of  your 
trials,  and  think  of  you  in  their  prayers. 

"  I  hope  you  have  a  clear  discernment  of  the  hand  of 
a  holy  God,  in  these  unexpected  events,  without  which 
you  will  mourn  so  as  not  to  be  comforted.  I  think  I  can 
feel  for  you,  having  myself  tasted  of  '  the  wormwood  and 
the  gall '  more  than  twice.  There  is  nothing  which  can 
bind  up  hearts  thus  broken,  but  a  belief  in  the  excellency, 
all-sufficiency,  wisdom  and  faithfulness  of  Christ.  He 
does  all  things  well.  Christ  is  better  than  children,  and 
we  must  love  him  more  tlian  we  do  our  children,  or  we 
shall  certainly  be  tossed  like  a  vessel  at  sea  in  a  storm 
without  rudder  or  compass.  I  once  stood  with  a  fond 
mother,  by  the  dying  bed  of  her  son,  and  I  attempted  to 
point  her,  while  witnessing  this  scene,  to  the  great  and 
unfailing  source  of  consolation.  She  listened  to  me  for  a 
while,  and  at  length  said — '  I  love  my  children,  but  I  love 
Christ  better.'  I  saw  at  once  she  was  fully  sustained  by 
Him  who  was  correcting  her.  It  was  enough.  I  left  her 
to  her  own  meditations. 

"  I  trust  your  afflictions  will  make  you  a  better  minister. 
Christians  will  pray  more  for  you,  and  so  will  your 
brethren  in  the  ministry,  and  the  Lord  will  sustain  you, 
if  you  will  only  cast  your  burdens  on  him. 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


159 


"  I  have  been  writing  a  narrative  of  the  several  revivals 
which  have  taken  place  under  my  ministry,  with  a  state- 
ment of  my  method  of  proceeding  in  these  interesting 
seasons." 

Birthday  reflections.  "  Feb.  2,  1833.  The  wheels  of 
time,  wliich  apparently  revolve  with  increasing  rapidity, 
have  brought  me  to  see  another  anniversary  of  my  birth. 
I  find  myself  to  be  the  same  sinful  and  sinning  creature  ; 
and  on  reviewing  my  labors  as  a  minister,  and  my  walk 
as  a  professed  Christian,  I  am  constrained  to  condemn 
myself,  to  take  a  low  place,  even  in  the  dust,  and  exclaim, 
'  my  leanness,  my  leanness.'  Never  did  I  more  feel  my 
need  of  being  washed  in  the  atoning  blood  of  my  Lord 
and  Saviour,  which  cleanseth  from  all  sin.  But  vile  as  I 
am,  and  imperfect  as  my  labors  have  been,  the  mercies  of 
God  from  day  to  day,  through  the  whole  year,  have  been 
extended  to  me  in  a  wonderful  manner.  My  health, 
strength  and  activity,  have  been  continued,  so  that  I  have 
•been  able  to  preach  every  Sabbath,  and  to  fulfil  my 
weekly  appointments  almost  without  any  exceptions.  I 
have  enjoyed  many  pleasant  meetings  with  my  people  in 
the  different  sections  of  the  town,  and  have  witnessed 
some  degree  of  Christian  feeling  ;  but  it  has  not  been  a 
year  of  the  shedding  down  of  divine  influences  upon  us, 
nor  of  the  ingathering  of  souls  into  the  kingdom  of  Christ. 
I  have  seen,  with  much  solicitude,  the  inroads  and  efforts 
of  sectarians,  and  the  flocking  of  my  people  to  hear  them. 
Sometimes  I  have  been  ready  to  view  myself  as  standing 
in  the  way  of  the  continued  union  and  prosperity  of  this 
people.  I  see  plainly,  that  aged  ministers  must  endure 
some  trials — trials  of  a  peculiar  nature.  May  the  Lord 
guide  me  by  his  Holy  Spirit,  and  prepare  me  for  his  holy 
will  and  pkasure." 


160 


MEMOIR  OF 


"^prU  23, 1833. 

"  My  dear  Sir, 

"  I  have  long  been  indebted  to  you  for  a  letter,  and 
I  have  opportunity,  by  Miss  M.  S.,  to  acknowledge  my 
fault,  and  to  give  you  a  token  of  my  continued  affection. 
The  winter  is  past,  and  though  I  have  labored  hard,  and 
been  exposed  to  all  kinds  of  weather,  I  seemingly  have 
labored  in  vain  ;  for  I  am  permitted  to  see  little  or  no 
fruit  unto  life.  Rarely  have  I  ever  witnessed  among  my 
people  so  long  a  season  of  stupidity  and  hardness  of 
heart.  The  professed  children  of  God  are  worldly-minded, 
lifeless,  and  inactive  in  religion ;  and  yet  not  alarmed  at 
their  situation.  We  are  filling  up  with  a  now  population, 
and  in  many  instances,  their  influence  is  not  such  as  to 
aid  the  kingdom  of  holiness.  The  Lord  alone  can 
save  us. 

"  With  all  these  discouragements,  the  cause  of  Christ 
is  as  precious  as  ever,  and  I  know  it  will  prevail.  We 
need  correcting  and  sifting.  A  restless  spirit  has  gone 
abroad,  and  it  is  a  lying  spirit.  The  watchmen  are  re- 
moved one  after  another  from  their  posts,  but  Christ  is 
doing  his  own  work. 

"  I  have  adverted  to  these  things,  that  you  may  know 
that  troubles  are  not  peculiar  to  your  section  of  country. 
It  is  our  duty  to  stand  fast  in  the  evil  day.  Let  us,  then, 
rely  on  the  arm  of  Jehovah,  for  it  is  as  strong  as  ever  : 
and  he  will  not  suffer  one  of  his  promises  to  fail. 

"  The  number  of  my  old  friends  is  rapidly  diminishing  ; 
and  among  those  who  have  recently  departed  this  life,  is 
Dr.  F.,  with  whom  I  was  long  associated.  That  I  cannot 
long  stay  behind  is  evident,  and  at  times  real,  yet  I  am 
strangely  prone  to  be  absorbed  with  things  earthly,  and  to 
my  great  grief. 

"  While  writing  this  letter,  the  heavens  suddenly  gath- 
ered blackness,  and  the  power  of  God  has  been  wonder- 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


161 


fully  and  fearfully  displayed  in  the  lightning.  The  large 
and  beautiful  maple-tree,  just  back  of  my  barn,  was 
struck,  and  rent  in  a  moment.  If  it  had  been  my  house, 
it  would  have  been  torn  to  pieces,  and  some  or  all  of  us 
might  have  been  ushered  into  eternity.  But  we  are 
spared,  and  praised  be  the  name  of  the  Lord." 

''Mmj  16,  1833. 

"  Dear  Sister, 

"  I  recollect  when  I  was  at  P.,  you  requested  me  to 
write  you  a  letter,  which  I  have  neglected  to  do  for  want 
of  an  opportunity.  L.  is  now  in  this  vicinity,  and  says 
he  will  forward  one  to  you.  I  have  reflected  with  plea- 
sure, on  the  short  visit  I  made  you  and  your  fajnily  with 
my  son  W.  last  fall ;  particularly  as  I  found  your  mind 
seeking  after  heavenly  and  divine  things.  You  have 
entered  into  covenant  with  the  Lord  God  of  your  fathers, 
and  I  pray  that  you  may  have  grace  to  adorn  the  solemn 
profession  you  have  made,  by  a  life  of  holy  obedience.  I 
hope  you  may  be  guided  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  be  made 
wise  in  winning  the  soul  of  your  dear  husband  to  Christ, 
tliat  you  may  be  heirs  together  of  the  grace  of  life.  In 
order  to  this,  you  must  - maintain  a  close  and  intimate 
walk  with  God,  and  your  every  day  conduct  must  evince 
to  him,  that  your  home  is  not  on  the  earth,  and  that  you 
are  really  looking  out  for  another  and  a  better  country. 
Being  the  mother  of  a  number  of  children,  who  are 
immortal  beings,  committed  to  your  care,  you  have 
weighty  duties  to  discharge  to  them.  You  have  obli- 
gated yourself  to  bring  them  up  for  God.  And  do 
remember  that  they  are  looking  to  you  for  an  example, 
and  are  actually  forming  characters  for  a  never-ending 
eternity,  under  your  influence  and  guidance.  This  has 
often  been  to  me  an  overwhelming  thought,  and  I  pre- 
sume it  is  to  you.  I  have  been  criminally  deficient  in 
14  * 


162 


MEMOIR  OF 


the  discharge  of  parental  duty,  and  now  my  day  is  almost 
over.  Your  children  are  yet  in  the  forming  period,  and  I 
hope  God  will  give  you  grace  to  be  more  faithful.  I 
rejoice  to  hear  that  you  go  with  your  children  to  the 
house  of  God,  and  bring  them  under  the  influence  of 
Sabbath  school  instruction,  and  that  your  husband  is 
ready  and  forward  to  aid  you  in  this  good  work. 

"  I  was  much  interested  in  your  daughter  E.,  and  hope 
she  will  lose  no  time  in  choosing  the  good  part  which 
shall  never  be  taken  away  from  her." 

«  SepL  18,  1833. 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  You  speak  of  the  stupidity  and  indifference  of  your 
people,  with  respect  to  the  all-important  subject  of  reli- 
gion, as  being  alarming.  But  be  not  discouraged;  for 
the  welfare  of  Zion  lies  near  the  heart  of  Him  who  is 
over  all  and  above  all,  and  whose  word  is  pledged  that 
his  faithful  ministers  shall  be  sustained,  and  his  church, 
in  his  own  time,  rise  above  all  opposition. 

"  Among  my  people,  it  is  now  a  time  of  uncommon 
religious  excitement.  I  have  attended  meetings  every 
day,  for  the  week  past,  and  they  have  been  very  full.  I 
have  had  conversation  with  twelve  young  people,  who 
think  they  have  experienced  religion.  But  I  was  never 
more  solicitous  for  my  people,  than  at  this  time;  and 
never  saw  the  churches  in  Berkshire  so  threatened  with 
an  inundation  of  error  and  with  divisions. 

*  *  *  "  I  am  now  studying  to  guide  and  feed  my 
flock,  after  such  scenes  as  we  have  passed  through.  I 
need  wisdom  from  on  high,  to  preach,  and  pray,  and  talk, 
seemingly,  more  than  I  ever  did  before.  In  God,  I  desire 
to  put  my  trust. 

*  *  *  <(  You  now  see  the  nature  of  the  excitement 
in  this  town  and  vicinity.    I  feel  assured  that  the  Head 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


163 


of  the  church  will  overrule  it  ail  for  good.  There  may 
be  some  real  conversions ;  and  if  this  should  appear  to  be 
the  case,  I  shall  as  readily  embrace  the  new  disciples,  as 
if  they  were  converted  under  my  ministry,  or  that  of  any 
other  man.  This  unexpected  and  heavy  trial,  is  such  an 
one  as  the  ministers  and  churches  have  needed.  We 
have  been  unfaithful.  The  hand  of  the  Lord  is  in  it,  no 
less  than  it  was  in  raising  up  Jeroboam,  who  made  Israel 
to  sin." 

«  Oct.  4,  1833. 

"  I  have  neglected  writing  to  you  on  account  of  the  great 
increase  of  my  labors  and  the  constant  and  inexpressible 
solicitude  which  I  have  felt  for  my  people  for  three  or 

four  weeks  past.    Mr.  's  meeting  at  ,  continued 

fourteen  days,  and  then  he  went  to  ,  where  he  op- 
erated the  same  length  of  time.  I  never  before  witnessed 
such  an  excitement,  especially  after  the  meeting  com- 
menced in  .  The  people  from  tliis  and  the  neigh- 
boring towns  flocked  there  in  countless  numbers.  I  was 
urged  again  and  again  to  go  and  hear  the  man,  and  to 
invite  him  into  my  pulpit ;  but  I  kept  my  ground.  I 
finally  called  a  meeting  of  the  church,  and  stated  at 
length  my  reasons  for  not  doing  it.  Some  were  satisfied, 
and  many  were  grieved.  Perhaps  I  never  so  much  tried 
the,  feelings  of  a  majority  of  the  church  and  people.  The 

great  argument  in  favor  of  my  co-operating  with  Mr.  , 

was  the  wonderful  success,  which  attended  his  labors.  He 
proclaimed  his  success  by  numbering  some  hundreds  of 
converts  as  the  fruit  of  his  labors.  I  have  already  seen 
and  conversed  with  at  least  thirty  young  persons  in  this 
town,  who  are  cherishing  a  hope  of  having  been  converted 
under  his  ministry.  You  can  easily  conceive  how  I  stand 
in  their  view.  What  the  result  will  be,  I  know  not.  1 
have  attended  a  meeting  every  evening  for  three  weeks, 


164 


MEMOIR  OP 


besides  several  in  the  daytime.  I  must  do  what  I  can, 
and  leave  the  event  with  God.  I  have  sent  for  help,  and 
among  others,  have  sent  for  Mr.  N.,  but  he  writes  me  that 
he  cannot  come.  I  hope,  my  son,  you  will  have  a  heart 
to  pray  for  me.  ' 

«  Oct.  7,  1833. 

"  I  conclude  you  have  thought  rae  very  negligent  of 
late  in  writing  you  ;  but  the  truth  is,  my  time  has  been 
completely  occupied  in  efforts  to  keep  my  people  together, 
and  my  mind  has  been  full  of  solicitude,  lest  we  should 

be  torn  to  pieces  and  desolated.    Mr.    labored  two 

weeks  in  South  Lee,  and  the  same  length  of  time  in 
one  of  the  factories  in  S.  He  rarely  preached  a  sermon, 
without  throwing  out  something  which  was  calculated  to 
destroy  the  influence  of  ministers  in  the  county,  and  to 
bring  into  discredit  their  doctrines  and  ecclesiastical 
regulations ;  yet  he  drew  together  great  assemblies  frons 
all  the  neighboring  towns.  There  has  been  a  wonderful 
excitement,  occasioned  by  the  novelty  of  his  manner,  and 
he  has  proclaimed  his  success,  as  having  made  hundreds 
of  converts.  I  never  before  witnessed  such  infatuation. 
Perhaps  some  have  been  really  converted,  but  in  most 
cases,  it  is  likely  the  impressions  will  be  of  short  continu- 
ance. I  have  never  heard  the  man,  nor  have  I  even  seen 
him,  though  I  have  been  pressed  beyond  measure  to  at- 
tend his  meetings.  Such  has  been  the  excitement,  that  I 
have  met  the  people,  in  some  part  of  the  town,  every 
evening  for  the  last  three  or  four  weeks,  and  have  labored 
to  instruct  and  guide  them  in  this  distracted  state.  Hith- 
erto they  have  been  kept  from  falling  into  division,  and  I 
ascribe  it  all  to  the  merciful  interposition  of  God,  in  a 
dark  and  portentous  time. 

"  In  addition  to  my  increased  labors,  I  have  not  had 
my  usual  sleep,  which  has  somewhat  impaired  my  health : 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


165 


but  I  view  tlie  whole  as  a  needful  correction,  and  desire 
to  be  humble  under  the  rod,  which  my  heavenly  Father 
has  laid  upon  me.  I  have  deserved  it  all,  and  much 
more." 

«  Od.  17,  1833. 

"My  dear  Friends, 

"  It  is  a  long  time  since  I  have  recei^-ed  a  letter  from 
either  of  your  hands,  and  perhaps  as  long  since  I  have 
addressed  a  letter  to  you,  though  I  am  called  to  write  many 
letters  every  week.  Five  of  my  children  are  living  at  a 
distance  from  me,  with  whom  I  keep  up  a  regular  corres- 
pondence. But  though  this  occupies  considerable  time, 
it  embraces  but  a  small  part  of  my  epistolary  writing. 
My  son  E.  has  been  called  to  drink  of  the  cup  of  affliction, 
and  in  his  affliction  we  have  been  afflicted.  He  was 
expecting  to  have  been  married  to  a  Miss  W.  of  H.  the 
first  week  in  September,  a  most  amiable  and  pious  young 
lady.  But  it  pleased  God  to  remove  her  from  this  world, 
the  same  week  in  which  they  expected  to  have  been 
united  in  the  bonds  of  matrimony.  He  stood  over  her 
bed  of  languishment  six  weeks,  previous  to  her  death,  and 
witnessed  in  her  the  triumphs  of  faith.  During  this  time, 
I  went  to  see  him,  and  do  what  I  could  to  comfort  him. 
I  am  happy  to  say  he  appeared  to  enjoy  the  consolations 
of  religion,  in  anticipation  of  his  great  disappointment. 

"  My  wife  and  I  have  lived  together  more  than  forty 
years,  and  the  whole  of  the  time  in  the  same  house,  where 
we  have  enjoyed  mercies  innumerable,  and  where  we 
have  been  repeatedly  chastised.  The  time  of  our  de- 
parture is  drawing  nigh.  O  that  God,  by  his  grace,  would 
enable  us  to  live  in  readiness  to  obey  the  summons.  Very 
few  of  our  early  friends  remain.  Our  children  are  all 
kind  and  affectionate,  and  have  ever  been.  They  all 
sustain  reputable  characters,  and  three  of  them  are  public 


166 


MEMOIR  OF 


professors  of  religion.  As  to  their  accumulating  riches, 
it  is  of  little  consequence. 

"I  have  for  several  weeks  attended  a  religious  meeting 
every  evening,  and  the  meetings  have  been  thronged. 
We  have  been  encroached  upon  by  one  of  the  irregular 
preachers  from  the  west,  who  has  advanced  some  errors, 
and  nearly  infatuated  many  by  his  new  measures.  I  trust 
the  Lord  will  overrule  his  proceedings  for  good ;  but  I 
have  had  a  great  trial.  Doubtless  it  has  been  a  needful 
one." 

«  Oct.  30,  1833. 
"  My  time  has  been  completely  occupied  for  many  weeks 
past  in  attending  meetings,  and  looking  to~  the  spiritual 
concerns  of  my  people,  in  this  trying  time.  Never  did  I 
witness  such  an  agitated  state  of  feeling  in  the  public  mind ; 
some  carried  away  with  the  doctrines  preached  and  the 
unscriptural  measures  pursued,  and  others  filled  with 
disgust.  More  than  thirty  persons,  and  the  most  of  them 
young  people,  express  a  hope  of  having  passed  from  death 
unto  life.  Some  of  these  appear  to  have  seen  very  little 
of  their  hearts,  and  I  suspect  will  endure  but  for  a  while  ; 
and  others,  who  have  before  been  instructed  in  the  great 
truths  of  the  gospel,  appear  more  like  genuine  converts. 
Among  others,   and   think  they  have  ex- 

perienced religion.  They  have  been  scoffers.  If  they 
hold  out,  as  they  are  confident  they  shall,  it  will  be 
wonderfid  mercy  indeed." 

"JVoD.  2,  1833. 
I  acknowledge  the  favor  of  two  letters  from  your  hand, 
since  I  have  written  to  you.  My  time  and  my  thoughts 
have  been  very  much  occupied,  for  the  last  six  weeks,  in 
laboring  and  watching  among  my  people.  The  influence 
of  Mr.  in  this  region  has  been  something  like  a  tor- 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


167 


nado ;  unhinging  minds,  and  tossuig  them  to  and  fro,  and 
breaking  down  all  ecclesiastical  order.  I  believe  we  should 
survive  the  shock,  in  this  place,  if  he  would  leave  the 
county.  But  he  has  had  admittance  into  the  meeting- 
house in   ,  and  to-morrow,  I  understand,  he  is  to 

commence  his  operations  in  — — — ,  where  he  has  been 
invited  by  Mr.  T.,  the  present  minister  of  the  place.  After 

this,  he  is  to  come  to  ,  at  the  request  of  , 

who  introduced  him  to   .    All  this  keeps  the  man 

and  his  measures  in  view,  and  the  ears  of  people  con- 
stantly itching.  What  will  be  the  result,  I  know  not ;  but 
I  rejoice  that  Zion's  God  is  on  the  throne,  and  has  prom- 
ised to  sustain  and  build  up  his  cause.  For  a  time,  I  had 
to  stand  almost,  alone ;  but  some  of  the  people  are  coming 
to  their  senses." 

"Mv.^,1833. 

"  Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 

"  Your  letter  of  Sept.  30,  was  duly  received,  and 
I  thank  you  for  it.  I  also  received  your  letter  of 
Aug.  17,  1827,  containing  some  resolutions  which  you 
proposed  to  be  passed  by  the  Berkshire  Association.  This 
letter  I  read  to  Dr.  S.  and  others,  who,  as  they  then 
viewed  the  state  of  things,  judged  it  inexpedient  to  bring 
forward  the  resolutions,  hoping  that  the  zeal  for  new 
measures  would  abate,  and  the  churches  be  preserved 
from  their  ruinous  influence.  We  continued  in  a  state 
of  quiet  in  the  county  until  last  spring,  and  were  favored 
more  or  less,  with  special  tokens  of  divine  mercy.  The 

churches  were  increased.    The  course  which   has 

taken  since  he  came  into  the  county,  is,  in  my  appre- 
hension, much  to  be  deplored.  Though  he  and  his 
friends  proclaim  his  success,  as  being  very  great,  he 
weakens  the  hands  of  the  settled  pastors,  and  even  does 
what  he  can  to  destroy  their  influence. 


168 


MEMOIR  OF  ALVAN  HYDE. 


"  There  is  at  the  present  time  considerable  excitement 
among  my  people,  and  they  will  attend  as  many  meetings 
as  I  can  appoint  in  the  course  of  every  week.  For  the 
last  two  months,  I  have  attended,  at  least,  six  meetings 
between  each  Sabbath,  in  different  parts  of  the  town.  I 
greatly  need  help,  and  I  know  of  no  man  who  could  do 
this  people  so  much  good,  under  God,  as  yourself.  Many 
of  them  remember  you  with  affection.  If  consistent  with 
your  feelings  and  engagements,  I  earnestly  request  you  to 
make  us  another  visit,  and  to  come  as  soon  as  you  can. 
It  might  be  of  great  service  to  the  cause  of  Christ  in  this 
place,  at  the  present  critical  time,  and  not  only  in  this 
place,  but  in  this  region.  *  *  *  j  fully  accord  with 
you,  in  the  views  you  have  expressed  in  both  letters, 
respecting  evangelists,  and  have  long  been  of  the  same 
opinion.  '  If  ever  needed,'  as  you  say,  '  it  is  more  for  the 
purpose  of  helping  settled  pastors  in  taking  responsibility 
in  excluding  what  are  called  neiv  measures,  from  our 
churches,  than  for  all  other  reasons.'    *    *  * 

"  From  your  affectionate  brother  in  Christ." 


CHAPTER  X. 


LETTERS  TO  HIS  CHILDREN. 

In  the  part  of  this  memoir  which  has  preceded,  we 
have  seen  how  the  affectionate  and  laborious  pastor  was 
employed  among  his  charge,  during  the  period  of  his 
ministry,  till  he  entered  his  last  record  in  his  diary,  and 
wrote  the  last  letter  ;  we  have  seen,  too,  how  deeply  he  felt 
under  the  chastisements  which  God  in  his  holy  providence 
brought  upon  him  in  the  sickness  and  removal  of  five 
children.  But  it  will  be  noticed,  that  in  all  the  extracts 
which  have  been  made  from  his  letters,  none  were  ad- 
dressed to  the  children  whom  he  loved  with  such  tender 
affection.  These  letters,  as  they  form  so  large  a  propor- 
tion of  the  correspondence  which  has  been  collected,  and 
as  they  exhibit  most  prominently  the  likeness  of  the  man, 
and  what  is  more  important  still,  illustrate  the  qualities  of 
his  mind  as  sketched  by  himself,  have  been  reserved  for 
a  separate  portion  of  the  volume,  and  are  here  presented. 

"  Lee,  March  20,  1812. 

"  Dear  Son, 

"We  furnished  a  packet  of  letters  for  you,  last 
Saturday ;  but  as  the  post  came  at  an  earlier  hour  than 
usual,  we  failed  of  sending  them.    I  shall  now  substitute 
15 


170 


MEMOIR  OF 


a  short  letter  for  the  one  I  then  wrote,  and  inclose  it  with 
others  to  be  forwarded  to-morrow.  We  confidently  ex- 
pected letters  by  the  last  post,  but  were  disappointed. 
Our  disappointment  will  be  still  greater  if  none  reach  us 
to-morrow.  S.  and  J.  were  much  pleased  with  their  letters 
from  you,  and  have  written,  each  a  short  letter,  expressive 
of  their  acknowledgments.  I  hope  you  will  gratify  them 
by  writing  often.  A  free  and  familiar  correspondence 
will  be  of  considerable  advantage  to  them,  and  no  dis- 
service to  you.  As  your  parents  are  going  into  years,  you 
must  study  to  be  useful  to  the  younger  branches  of  the 
family. 

"It  has  been  to  my  mind  a  very  pleasing  and  an- 
imating consideration,  that  you  are  now  in  a  place  where 
God  is  exciting  the  attention  of  stupid  sinners,  and  where 
there  is  a  hopeful  prospect  of  a  harvest  of  souls.  It  may 
be,  that  sovereign  mercy  will  reach  your  case,  and  that 
He,  who  alone  is  able  to  forgive  sins,  will  open  your  eyes 
to  see  your  lost  state  by  nature,  and  the  only  remedy  in 
the  precious  blood  of  Christ.  No  intelligence  respecting 
you  would  give  me  equal  satisfaction.  From  a  conviction 
that  seasons  of  awakening  are  indescribably  important,  I 
advise  you  to  attend  the  religious  meetings  as  often  as 
possible,  and  see  that  you  do  not  make  light  of  the  one 
thing  needful.  Acquaint  yourself  with  the  progress  of 
the  work,  and  write  me  particulars  respecting  the  state  of 
the  people  and  of  the  college,  as  far  as  you  may  obtain 
them. 

"  I  trust  you  will  apply  as  diligently  to  your  studies  as 
your  health  will  admit.  There  is  more  to  be  hoped  for, 
as  to  good  scholarship,  from  close  application,  than  from 
genius.  Treasure  up  this  remark,  as  a  maxim  which 
may  be  of  use  to  you.  Read  what  you  can,  and  let  it  be 
your  object  in  reading  to  improve  your  mind.  Never  go 
to  the  recitation-room  with  your  lesson  half  gotten.  Be 


ALVAN  HYPE. 


171 


thorough  in  the  classics.  Accustom  yourself  to  close 
thinking,  which  you  must  do  in  order  to  make  any  pro- 
ficiency in  the  higher  branches  of  mathematics. 

"  I  have  penned  this  letter  in  very  great  haste,  and  as 
I  have  protracted  it  to  a  length  almost  unreasonable,  I 
will  only  add,  that  I  am,  as  ever, 

"  Your  affectionate  parent." 

17,  1812. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  The  letter  of  which  you  made  mention,  at  L., 
reached  me  on  the  Saturday  following.  I  have  been 
much  pleased  with  the  contents,  and  have  been  induced 
to  give  it  repeated  perusals.  It  was  matter  of  grief  to 
hear  of  the  evident  tokens  of  tlie  departure  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  from  the  college  and  from  the  town ;  but  I  had  not 
a  little  satisfaction  in  finding  that  you  spoke  of  this  with  a 
degree  of  lamentation.  '  Blessed  are  they  that  mourn, 
for  they  shall  be  comforted.'  The  institution  of  the 
prayer-meeting,  between  the  hours  of  one  and  two,  as  a 
substitute  for  ball-playing,  afforded  me  much  pleasure.  I 
hope  you  will  be  a  constant  and  devout  attendant  upon 
this  exercise,  and  may  the  Lord  make  it  a  rich  blessing 
to  your  soul.  It  seems  there  has  been  some  happy  fruit, 
particularly  in  the  hopeful  conversion  of  D. 

"  While  you  embrace  religion,  as  the  one  thing  needful, 
yea,  that  without  which  you  can  live  to  no  good  purpose, 
I  hope  you  will  be  diligent  and  successful  in  your  studies. 
Be  wise  in  the  improvement  of  your  time,  and  be  mindful 
of  your  health.  Rise  early  in  the  morning,  and  be  prompt 
in  meeting  the  usual  routine  of  exercises  ;  and  that  you 
may  do  this  with  safety,  retire  early  in  the  evening.  You 
know  I  am  a  strong  advocate  for  punctuality  in  all  en- 
gagements, and  for  decision  of  character. 

"  I  left  Harriet  at  P.  when  I  returned  from  ordination, 


172 


MEMOIR  OF 


and  brought  home  a  daughter  of  Dr.  J.,  to  attend  our 
school.  We  have  now  three  children  from  home,  and  two 
of  other  families  domesticated  with  us.  These  arrange- 
ments have  increased  our  cares  and  anxieties ;  but,  if  you 
will  reflect,  you  will  see  from  all  this  what  burdens  parents 
take  upon  themselves,  for  the  sake  of  their  children.  But 
parents  should  remember  that  it  entirely  depends  on  God, 
whether  their  children  shall  survive  them,  and  whether 
they  will  be  a  comfort  or  a  grief  to  them.  Children  also 
should  remember  their  obligations  to  their  parents,  and 
study  to  requite  them,  by  being  ready  to  supply  their 
wants,  and  to  protect  them  from  oppression  in  their  old 
age. 

"  An  awful  event  took  place,  yesterday,  at  Tyringham. 
Seven  young  persons,  instead  of  observing  the  day  of 
fasting  and  prayer  religiously,  went  to  sail  in  a  pond. 
Three  of  them,  two  young  women  and  one  young  man, 
were  drowned.  A  solemn  admonition  to  the  living !  Sic 
transit  gloria  mundi. 

"  From  your  affectionate  father." 

"A'ov.  19,  1812. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

I  wrote  you  a  few  lines,  last  week,  which  were 
forwarded  in  a  bundle  directed  to  Esq.  D.  Before  this 
time,  I  hope  you  have  had  the  perusal  of  them.  I  have 
been  greatly  afflicted  with  an  inflammation  in  one  of  my 
eyes,  and  have  not  experienced  much  relief  until  to-day. 
Though  unable,  I  preached  on  the  Sabbath,  and  have 
attended  all  the  evening  meetings.  E.  is  considerably 
better,  and  begins  to  go  out  of  doors.  From  all  this,  I 
hope  you  will  be  led  to  reflect,  that  God  is  still  merciful 
to  us,  and  have  a  heart  to  unite  with  your  parents  in 
suitable  feelings  of  gratitude  to  the  Giver  of  all  our  bles- 
sings.   Were  we  to  make  returns,  in  any  mea.sure  pro^ 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


173 


portioned  to  tlie  mercies  we  receive,  we  should  be  daily 
and  constantly  engaged  in  the  pleasing  work  of  offering 
praise  to  God.  But,  in  this,  we  are  criminally  and 
awfully  deficient.  How  happy  we  might  be,  my  son,  if 
we  were  only  faithful  to  ourselves,  and  if  we  sought  that 
peace,  which  Christ  is  offering  so  freely  to  give  !  I  hope 
divine  grace  will  keep  you  from  being  under  the  dominioa 
of  sin.  You  are  yet  in  the  morning  of  life  ;  you  have  the 
day  before  you  ;  and  if  you  are  only  diligent  and  perse- 
vering, you  may  acquire  much  knowledge,  and  lay  a 
foundation  for  usefulness  in  the  world.  But,  if  this  pre- 
cious period  of  life  should  pass  away  unimproved,  or  if 
you  are  contented  with  the  bare  name  of  a  Christian,  and 
with  a  mere  superficial  knowledge  of  the  studies  which 
are  designed  to  fit  you  for  activity  and  usefulness  in  the 
world,  you  will  find  yourself,  in  middle  age,  a  mere 
drone  among  the  disciples  of  Christ  and  also  among  men 
of  letters.  You  established,  the  last  year,  a  desirable 
reputation,  as  a  scholar  of  order.  You  was  pleasingly 
attentive  to  all  the  routine  of  college  duties.  I  hope  yon 
are  not  less  attentive,  this  year.  If  you  unnecessarily 
absent  yourself  from  public  prayers,  in  one  instance, 
Satan  will  get  an  advantage  of  you. 

"I  have  no  doubt,  that  your  room-mate  will  be  both 
orderly  and  studious.  I  hope  you  will  be  faithful  Mentors 
to  each  other.  I  recommended  to  him  the  practice  of 
social  prayer  in  your  room,  and  designed  to  have  had 
particular  conversation  with  you  on  that  subject." 

"Z>cc.  10,  1812. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  We  have  lately  been  reading,  in  the  family,  the 
Life  of  Mrs.  Ramsay  of  Charleston,  written  by  her  hus- 
band. Dr.  David  Ramsay,  author  of  the  History  of  the 
American  Revolution'.    I  have  been  uncommonly  enter- 
15  * 


174 


MEMOIR  OF 


tained  and  delighted  with  this  little  volume.  I  wish  you 
could  have  opportunity  to  give  it  an  attentive  perusal ;  for 
I  cherish  a  hope  that  you  would  imbibe  some  portion  of 
her  excellent  spirit.  She  was  early  devoted  to  the  inter- 
ests of  religion,  and  was  eminently  qualified  to  fill  the  im- 
portant place  of  a  wife  and  a  parent.  The  volume 
contains  a  number  of  letters,  which  she  wrote  to  her  son, 
when  a  member  of  Princeton  college.  In  one  of  them 
she  writes  as  thus  :  '  Dear  David,  I  hope  you  are  doing 
yourself  credit,  and  preparing  yourself  for  future  useful- 
ness in  life.  I  feel  a  deep  and  a  growing  anxiety  about 
you  ; — sixteen,  seventeen,  eighteen  !  ah,  what  important 
years  are  they  iu  a  young  man's  life  !  How  uninformed 
is  his  judgment !  How  false  his  views  of  most  things  1 
What  but  heavenly  guidance  can  steer  him  safely  through 
the  perils  to  which  he  is  exposed  from  within  and  with- 
out ?  and  yet  what  an  age  of  confidence — of  self-conceit ! 
How  seldom  is  the  eye  turned  to  heaven,  or  the  ear  open 
to  the  admonitions  of  experience,  wisdom,  or  friendship? 
Even  the  remonstrances  of  conscience,  the  reproofs  of 
paternal  authority,  the  counsels  and  entreaties  of  maternal 
tenderness,  are  scarcely  heard  amidst  the  turbulence  of 
youthful  passions,  and  incitements  to  irregularities.  My 
tears  flow,  and  my  heart  aches,  while  with  the  mingled 
emotions  of  hope  and  fear  for  you,  I  thus  pour  forth  its 
sensations.  You  are  now  far  from  me  ;  1  can  no  longer 
direct  your  individual  actions  ;  I  can  only  give  you  good 
advice  in  general,  and  pray  to  God  for  you.  One  great 
guard  of  youthful  virtue  is  industry.  Be,  then,  indus- 
trious, and  employ  every  moment  of  your  time  to  some 
valuable  purpose.'  Thus  wrote  Mrs.  Ramsay  to  her 
absent  son.  My  heart  reiterates  the  same  sentiments, 
while  writing  this  letter. 

"  Mrs.  B.  died  on  Tuesday,  and  is  to  be  buried  to- 
morrow.   She  met  the  king  of  terrors  with  great  com- 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


175 


posure,  and  even  expressed  a  strong  desire  to  depart  and 
be  with  Ciirist.  In  a  short  time,  your  parents  will  leave 
all  worldly  concerns.  And  the  same  solemn  scene  is 
before  all  our  children.  O,  let  us  feel  the  importance  of 
being  prepared. 

"  I  must  entreat  you,  my  son,  to  write  more  frequently, 
and  to  be  very  particular  with  respect  to  your  studies, 
your  trials,  and  your  comforts.  You  have  never  yet  men- 
tioned the  name  of  T.  Is  he  at  college  ?  Is  he  doing 
well  1  Is  he  comfortably  situated  ?  You  recollect  the 
urgent  request  of  his  father." 

''May  5,  1813. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  We  had  much  pleasure  in  reading  your  letters  of 
April  3d  and  22d,  particularly  in  witnessing  the  serious 
and  religious  complexion  of  them.  It  seems  you  do  not 
forget  the  afflictive,  but  just  providence,  in  the  early  death 
of  your  brother  Charles.  That  dear  child  has  been  in 
his  grave  almost  seven  weeks,  while  you  and  the  other 
children  are  spared  for  some  wise  purpose.  But  you  are 
a  frail  creature,  and  I  hope  you  have  derived  special 
benefit  from  the  lesson  of  mortality,  presented  to  you 
under  your  father's  roof.  Memento  mori.  I  have  pro- 
cured for  Charles's  grave,  a  very  decent  set  of  monumental 
stones,  and  have  erected  them  to  mark  the  spot  where  his 
body  lies. 

"  Before  this  time,  you  have  doubtless  heard  of  the 
death  of  that  excellent  man.  Dr.  Jones,  who  has  been  so 
active  and  useful  in  this  time  of  general  distress,  and 
whose  friendly  aid  and  assistance  we  so  largely  experi- 
enced, while  the  life  of  Charles  was  held  in  suspense. 
Dr.  Jones  died  like  a  Christian,  relying  on  divine  mercy, 
and  even  in  the  triumphs  of  faith.  I  was  called  to  preach 
at  his  funeral,  and  it  was  to  my  mind  one  of  the  most 


176 


MEMOIR  OF 


affecting  scenes  I  ever  witnessed  out  of  my  own  family. 
Tiiis  county,  perliaps,  never  sustained  a  greater  loss  in 
the  deatli  of  any  physician,  or  even  citizen." 

"JVov.  28,  1813. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  I  wrote  you  a  few  weeks  ago  to  send  by  D.,  but 
the  letter  has  been  returned  to  me.  I  now  forward  it  by 
Mr.  R.  I  have  been  very  unwell  ever  since  you  left 
home.  The  hand  of  the  Lord  has  been  again  laid  upon 
me.  My  symptoms  have  been  threatening.  My  voice 
and  my  strength  failed  me,  and  I  have  been  obliged  to 
cease  from  my  labors,  as  a  minister.  For  eight  days  I 
did  not  go  out  of  my  gate,  and  scarcely  did  I  go  to  the 
door.  Through  divine  mercy,  I  have  been  convalescing 
for  about  a  week,  and  am  now  cherishing  a  hope  that  I 
may  be  able  soon  to  resume  my  labors.  Such  have  been 
my  complaints,  that  I  have  thought  it  probable  I  should 
be  called  to  leave  you  all,  and  to  enter  upon  an  eternal 
state.  The  consideration  of  this  has  been  interesting  and 
solemn,  beyond  ray  ability  to  describe.  Nothing  but 
divine  grace  affords  any  support  when  my  mind  is  pre- 
sented with  such  a  prospect.  May  God  sanctify  his 
dealings  towards  me,  that  I  may  be  quickened  in  the 
Christian  race. 

"  I  received  your  letter,  and  the  catalogue,  by  H.  The 
contents  of  your  letter  were  gratifying  to  me,  and  to  your 
mother.  We  take  it  for  granted  that  your  health  is  good, 
as  you  made  no  mention  of  it.  I  pray  God  to  implant  his 
fear  in  your  heart,  and  dispose  you  to  be  faithful  to  your- 
self, that  you  may  hereafter  be  useful  to  others." 

"■Aug.  2,  1814. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  Your  last  favor  by  S.  came  safely  to  hand.  It 
affords  me  pleasure  to  receive  your  letters,  because  you 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


177 


express  in  them  all,  a  sense  of  obligation  to  your  parents. 
It  is  our  prayer,  that  the  exertions  we  have  made  for  you 
may  not  be  lost,  as  we  have  seen  in  the  cases  of  some 
young  men,  for  whom  much  had  been  done.  Our  hopes 
will  be  answered,  if  you  should  be  active  and  useful  in 
your  day  and  generation. 

"  My  health  is  very  feeble,  and  it  is  impossible  for  me 
to  make  such  exertions  for  my  family  or  people,  as  I  have 
done.  I  desire  to  be  patient  and  submissive.  I  am  but 
a  pilgrim  on  the  earth,  living  upon  forfeited  mercies 
continually.  Improve  well  your  time,  be  watchful  over 
all  your  conduct,  and  keep  your  heart  with  all  diligence. 

"  That  the  blessing  of  God  may  rest  upon  you,  is  the 
prayer  of  your  ever  affectionate  parent." 

«  June  29,  1815. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  Your  collegiate  life  is  drawing  to  a  close,,  which 
must  fill  your  mind  with  many  solemn  reflections.  Proba- 
bly you  are  conscious  of  not  having  made  that  improve- 
ment of  your  time  and  opportunities,  which  you  might 
have  done.  But  what  is  past  can  never  be  recalled.  The 
only  way  to  redeem  time,  is  to  make  a  wise  and  diligent 
improvement  of  what  remains.  Let  the  glory  of  God  be 
the  governing  motive  in  all  your  plans,  and  in  all  your 
exertions  for  the  acquisition  of  knowledge.  Form  your 
plans  judiciously,  and  pursue  them  without  wavering. 

"  That  you  may  be  forming  for  usefulness  in  the  church, 
and  may  be  an  humble  instrument  of  good  to  the  souls  of 
your  fellow-creatures,  and  thereby  glorify  God,  is  the 
prayer  of  your  affectionate  parent." 

"Dec.  5,  1815. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"Your  letter  of  the  18th  ult.,  I  duly  received;  and  I 
can  assure  you  it  gave  me  much  pleasure,  as  it  relieved 


178 


MEMOIR  OF 


niy  mind  from  no  little  anxiety  respecting  your  journey. 
Our  abrupt  separation  at  S.,  occasioned  nie  many  more 
pangs  than  it  did  you,  because  it  seems  a  kind  Providence 
immediately  presented  to  you  the  path  of  duty  ;  but  I  was 
entirely  ignorant  of  the  manner  in  which  you  was  disposed 
of.  Not  confiding,  as  I  ought  to  have  done,  in  the  good- 
ness of  that  Being  to  whom  I  had  attempted  to  commit 
you,  I  was  left  to  imagine  many  evils  and  disappointments 
which  you  might  experience.  I  desire  to  bless  God,  that 
your  journey  was  so  prosperous.  Why  you  did  not  ac- 
company L.  from  W.  I  do  not  learn  from  your  letter. 

"  You  are  now  enjoying  great  advantages  for  improve- 
ment, in  doctrinal  knowledge  and  experimental  religion. 
As  you  have  commenced  the  study  of  the  Hebrew  lan- 
guage, in  which  the  greatest  part  of  the  sacred  oracles 
was  originally  written,  by  men  inspired  by  the  Holy 
Spirit,  I  hope  you  will  feel  the  importance  of  acquiring  a 
thorough  and  correct  knowledge  of  the  language.  Let 
nothing  escape  your  mind,  which,  by  diligent  and  perse- 
vering study,  you  are  capable  of  attaining.  Indulge  not 
the  thought,  for  a  moment,  that  it  is  a  dry  study.  You 
are  now  laying  the  foundation,  on  which,  I  fondly  hope, 
will  hereafter  be  erected  a  noble  superstructure.  Lay  this 
foundation  well.  Your  room-mate  has  a  taste  for  the 
languages,  and  is  a  correct  scholar,  which  induces  me  to 
hope  you  may  derive  no  little  benefit  from  him.  Study  to 
be  equally  serviceable  to  him,  in  return. 

"  You  ask  my  advice  on  a  very  interesting  subject,  viz. 
How  grace,  when  imparted  to  the  soul,  can  be  nurtured 
and  become  great?  This  is  not  exactly  your  language, 
but  it  expresses  your  idea  as  I  receive  it.  Though  every 
degree  of  holiness  in  man  is  a  fruit  of  the  Spirit  of  God, 
yet  growth  in  grace  is  a  duty,  and  is  attainable.  Means 
are  to  be  used ;  and  every  instance  of  eminent  piety  and 
devotedness  to  God  is  the  result  of  peculiar  faithfulness  in 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


179 


the  new-born  soul.  The  means  are  numerous ; — I  will 
mention  tlie  following :  frequent  and  fervent  prayer ;  the 
reading  of  the  holy  scriptures,  with  reference  to  the  state 
of  our  own  souls;  meditation  and  self-examination;  watch- 
ing and  guarding  against  easily-besetting  sins ;  humbly 
confessing,  and  immediately  forsaking  our  sins,  as  soon  as 
they  are  discovered ;  carefully  observing  what  we  see  of 
the  spirit  of  Christ  in  others,  not  merely  for  the  sake  of 
admiring,  but  also  of  imitating ;  a  strict  and  conscientious 
attendance  on  all  the  institutions  of  God ;  laboring  for  an 
abiding  sense  of  the  divine  presence,  whether  in  company 
or  alone ;  and,  in  short,  making  it  our  constant  study  to 
glorify  God  in  all  our  undertakings.  If  the  young  dis- 
ciple of  Christ  attend  to  these  things  with  the  zeal  and 
perseverance  manifested  by  the  men  of  this  world  in 
pursuit  of  perishable  objects,  he  will  become  a  burning 
and  shining  light  in  this  dark  and  sinful  world.  He  will 
have  that  which  is  indeed  worthy  of  possession. 

"  Let  the  first  question  with  you,  my  son,  be  this  :  Have 
I  evidence  of  being  a  subject  of  the  new  birth?  If  you 
have,  the  above  directions  will  be  seasonable  and  salutary. 
If  you  have  not  this  evidence,  all  is  wrong  with  you. 
Nothing  but  repentance  will  save  you  from  perishing.  I 
pray  the  Lord  to  direct  you  in  the  path  of  life. 

"The  good  work  of  the  Lord,  in  this  region,,  is  pro- 
gressing ;  but  we,  in  this  town,  are  unmoved.  We  are 
left  to  wither  and  die  like  the  herbage  on  a  dry  and 
parched  land.  How  certain  it  is,  that  nothing  but  the 
power  of  God  can  awaken  stupid  sinners,  or  arouse  slum- 
bering Christians.  I  hope  there  is  mercy  in  store  for  this 
people,  and  that  I  may  yet  live  to  see  the  church  here 
increased  and  beautified. 

"  I  have  something  to  communicate  which  will  deeply 
affect  your  heart,  as  it  has  mine.  Mr.  King  of  Williams- 
town  is  dead !    He  died  almost  instantly,  last  Friday,  at  a 


180 


MEMOIR  OF 


religious  meeting.  He  preached  a  thanksgiving  sermon, 
the  day  before,  in  usual  health.  He  had  read  a  psalm 
and  prayed,  at  the  meeting,  on  Friday ;  after  which,  he 
was  heard  to  exclaim,  in  faltering  words,  '  I  want  help.' 
The  people  went  to  him,  but  the  functions  of  life  had 
ceased,  and  the  immortal  part  had  taken  its  flight.  Truly 
he  had  a  quick  and  easy  passage  over  Jordan ;  and  we 
have  reason  to  hope,  that  he  exchanged  the  imperfect 
worship  of  saints  on  earth,  in  which  he  was  engaged, 
for  the  pure  and  sublime  worship  of  the  heavenly  world. 
*  Having  lived  in  his  family,  you  know  their  state,  and  I 
hope  will  be  induced  to  remember  them  at  the  throne  of 
grace. 

"  I  must  draw  to  a  close,  though  I  do  it  reluctantly. 
Through  divine  mercy,  we  are  all  in  comfortable  health." 

''Jan.  12,  1816. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  Your  letter  of  the  SOth  ult.  reached  us  the  fifth  day 
from  its  date,  and  afforded  us  all  much  joy.  It  was  none 
too  long,  as  every  page  of  it  was  filled  with  interesting 
matter.  I  am  induced  to  hope,  from  the  manner  of  your 
writing,  that  you  are  entering  more  feelingly  and  under- 
standingly  into  the  Christian  life,  and  that  3-our  mind  is 
more  deeply  impressed  with  the  importance  and  solemnity 
of  the  work  for  which  you  are  preparing.  I  desire  to 
bless  God,  the  author  of  your  being,  for  placing  you  in  a 
situation  so  favorable  to  growth  in  grace,  and  to  the 
acquisition  of  divine  knowledge.  You  must  have  the 
best  of  society,  as  your  fellow-students  all  profess  to  love 
the  Lord  Jesus,  and  to  be  under  the  influence  of  his  holy 
precepts.  It  seems  you  notice  a  great  difference  in  the 
apparent  piety  of  the  students.  This  is  not  unexpected 
to  me.  It  would  be  strange  if  some  of  you  are  not  total 
strangers  to  vital  religion,  while  there  is  a  visibility  of 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


181 


attachment  to  Christ  and  his  cause.  You  all  have  your 
characters,  in  the  view  of  the  professors.  Your  appear- 
ance, at  all  times,  they  carefully  watch;  and,  doubtless, 
for  some  of  you  their  hopes  are  strong,  and  for  others 
faint.  I  hope,  my  son,  you  will  associate  particularly 
with  such  as  appear  the  most  humble  and  the  most 
devoted  to  the  interests  of  religion.  Let  your  instructors 
uniformly  witness  in  you  a  teachable  mind,  and  never 
pretend  to  understand  what  you  do  not ;  for  this  habit, 
while  it  will  betray  a  want  of  sincerity,  will  inevitably 
make  you  superficial  in  all  your  studies. 

"  The  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  on  this  part  of  the 
vineyard  of  our  Lord,  are  still  continued." 

"  Jlpril  5,  1817. 

"  My  dear  Soji, 

"  Your  letter  of  the  20th  ult.  did  not  reach  me  until 
the  3d  instant.  I  rejoice  that  God,  in  his  holy  providence, 
has  so  early  opened  a  door  for  your  feeble  and  imperfect 
labors.  I  call  your  labors  feeble  and  imperfect,  for  I  trust 
they  appear  so  in  your  own  eyes.  It  has  been  my  daily 
prayer,  that  God  would  keep  you  from  wounding  the 
precious  cause  of  the  Redeemer,  and  that  the  ministry 
may  not  be  blamed  through  your  want  of  sobriety,  discre- 
tion, knowledge,  or  zeal.  Give  yourself  to  prayer,  self- 
examination,  and  close  study.  Be  diligent  in  acquiring  a 
knowledge  of  the  holy  scriptures ;  and  may  the  Lord 
bless  you,  and  make  you  a  blessing  to  others.  I  feel  for 
Mr.  E.  I  have  been  in  his  case.  The  Lord  must  be  his 
support.  It  is  too  early  for  him  to  visit  the  springs.  The 
air  is  too  cold  and  damp,  and  the  ground  too  full  of  water. 
He  had  better  postpone  visiting  the  springs  until  May, 
and  even  then  use  the  waters  cautiously  at  first.  Exer- 
cise, by  chopping  wood,  if  he  can  bear  it,  may  be 
salutary. 

16 


183 


MEMOIR  OF 


"  I  am  now  reading  the  Life  of  the  Rev.  Andrew  Fuller. 
He  was  a  wonderful  man.  By  divine  grace,  and  by  his 
own  diligence,  he  became  one  of  the  greatest  men  of  his 
time." 

''July  30,  1817. 

"^My  dear  Daughter, 

"  I  conclude  it  is  full  time  for  you  to  be  looking  out 
for  a  letter  from  home,  and  being  unwilling  you  should 
feel  a  disappointment,  I  now  sit  down  to  write  you  a  few 
lines.  Your  letters,  I  believe,  have  all  reached  us,  and 
they  have  afforded  us  great  satisfaction,  not  only  as  you 
have  been  enabled  to  assure  us  of  your  health  and  con- 
tentedness,  but  we  have  been  not  a  little  pleased  in  the 
proof  you  have  given  of  possessing  talents  for  letter- 
writing,  beyond  any  thing  we  had  conceived.  I  know 
not  how  much  correction  your  letters  have  undergone,  by 
the  hand  of  Miss  P.,  or  Mr.  B.  ;  but  as  they  come  to  us, 
they  are  very  well  formed  for  one  of  your  age.  After  all, 
there  is  one  important  thing  wanting  in  them,  I  mean  the 
spirit  of  religion.  I  fear,  my  daughter,  that  your  thoughts 
have  not  been  seriously  turned  upon  your  condition,  as  a 
sinful,  dying  creature  ;  and  that  you  are  not  yet  persuaded 
to  forsake  all  for  Christ.  This  I  must  recommend  to  you 
as  the  pearl  of  great  price.  Learning,  without  the  love 
of  God  in  your  heart,  will  never  make  you  truly  wise,  nor 
prepare  you  to  live  in  a  better  world.  I  pray  God  to 
manifest  himself  to  you,  as  he  doth  not  unto  the  world. 
If  the  Lord  should  return  you  to  us  with  a  new  heart, 
and  possessing  the  spirit  of  adoption,  it  would  be  an 
unspeakable  mercy." 

''March  26,  1818. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  The  longer  you  are  gone  from  us,  and  the  more  we 
hear  from  you,  the  stronger  is  our  desire  to  have  frequent 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


183 


communications  from  your  hand.  Your  last  letter  was 
dated  the  28th  of  January.  A  small  pamphlet  has 
reached  us  since, -dated  Feb.  5th.  Before  this  time,  I 
trust  you  have  received  three  letters  from  me,  one  by 
Mr.  I.,  one  by  Mr.  F.,  and  one  by  mail.  It  has  occasioned 
great  joy  to  me,  and  many  others,  to  hear  of  the  com- 
mencement of  a  divine  work  in  one  part  of  the  field  of 
your  labors.  It  has  encouraged  me  to  plead  the  more 
fei'vently  for  you,  that  God  would  impart  to  you  all  that 
wisdom,  grace,  and  strength,  which  you  may  need,  to  go  on 
with  your  work.  I  hope  God  will  make  you  the  humble 
instrument  of  calling  many  souls  into  the  kingdom  of  his 
Son,  which  may  hereafter  appear  to  be  the  seal  of  your 
ministry,  and  the  crown  of  your  rejoicing.  I  sometimes 
think  of  you,  as  witnessing  a  plentiful  shower  of  grace, 
and  surrounded  by  the  young  and  old,  proposing  to  you 
the  anxious  inquiry,  'What  shall  we  do  to  be  saved?*  O 
how  important  to  stand  as  the  guide  of  souls,  at  such  a 
time  !  Every  word  that  is  spoken  by  a  spiritual  teacher, 
has  great  effect,  and  will  be  followed  by  coiisequences, 
which  will  be  as  lasting  as  eternity.  Possibly  the  promis- 
ing appearances,  in  Burrell's  settlement,  have  all  vanished, 
and  Satan  has  gotten  some  great  advantage,  through  some 
unfaithfulness  or  imprudence  of  your  own,  on  account  of 
which  the  friends  of  Zion  are  mourning.  I  hope,  how- 
ever, 'better  things  of  you,  though  I  thus  speak.'  Look 
daily,  my  son,  to  the  great  Fountain ;  ask  for  wisdom  with 
the  earnestness  which  a  hungry  child  manifests  in  asking 
for  bread,  and  the  Lord  will  direct  and  keep  you." 

"  Jan.  12,  1818. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  Yesterday  the  sufferings  and  death  of  our  divine 
Saviour  were  commemorated  by  the  church  in  this  town. 
Of  two  hundred  members,  about  one  hundred  and  seventy 


184 


MEMOIR  OF 


were  present  on  the  occasion.  Judging  from  my  own 
feelings,  and  the  appearance  of  the  communicants,  I  think 
we  never  had  a  more  interesting  and  solemn  season. 
Truly  it  seemed  good  to  be  there.  Two  were  added  to  the 
communion,  one  by  letter,  and  one  by  profession. 

"On  Saturday,  I  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  E.,  inform- 
ing me  of  his  dismission  from  his  pastoral  charge,  and 
apologizing  for  not  attending  to  your  reasonable  request, 
before  you  left  New  England.  The  poor  man  is  bowed 
down  with  his  debts,  and  with  hypochondriac  affections. 
His  case,  my  son,  is  very  instructive.  I  hope  you  will 
profit  by  it.  Constant  and  systematic  exertion  of  body 
and  mind  are  absolutely  necessary  to  the  health,  quiet, 
and  usefulness  of  a  minister.  It  is  a  habit  of  diligence, 
wisely  directed,  and  not  native  strength  of  intellect,  which 
makes  men  useful  in  the  world.  A  young  man  of  mod- 
erate talents,  if  he  is  only  faithful  to  cultivate  them,  by 
reading,  writing,  and  a  judicious  intercourse  with  men  of 
information,  will  gradually  rise  to  eminent  usefulness  in 
almost  any  profession.  This  brings  to  my  mind  your 
present  situation.  Though  I  esteem  it  a  great  honor,  that 
my  first-born  son  is  deemed  worthy  of  being  sent  out  as 
a  missionary  of  the  cross,  and  to  publish  the  glad  tidings 
of  salvation  to  the  destitute,  yet  I  exceedingly  regret,  that 
at  such  an  important  period  of  your  life,  you  are  cut  off 
from  so  many  sources  of  knowledge.  To  improve  your 
fragments  of  time,  you  cannot  take  up  the  Panoplist,  the 
Recorder,  nor  any  of  the  periodical  works  of  the  time,  in 
which  you  live.  But,  my  son,  you  have  the  word  of  God, 
which  is  the  fountain  of  knowledge.  Make  yourself 
mighty  in  the  scriptures.  God  has  erected  a  throne  of 
grace  in  those  new  settlements,  and  is  as  ready  to  impart 
divine  blessings  there,  as  in  any  part  of  the  world.  Be- 
fore this  throne,  be  a  humble  and  constant  supplicant,  and 
you  will  find  your  account  in  it.    Difficult  as  it  may  be,  I 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


185 


must  insist  on  your  writing  sermons,  as  frequently  as  pos- 
sible. Should  you  lose  the  habit,  and  consequently  the 
facility  of  composing,  you  will  sustain  a  great  loss 
indeed. 

"  As  to  your  intercourse  with  the  people,  let  nothing  be 
seen  in  your  conversation  or  deportment,  in  the  course  of 
the  week,  which  may  be  inconsistent  with  your  instruc- 
tions, on  the  Sabbath.  I  have  been  gratified, with  the 
accounts  I  have  received  from  you  thus  far. 

"And  now,  my  dear  son,  after  committing  you  to  the 
all-wise  disposal  of  Him,  who  brought  you  into  existence, 
and  imploring  for  you  the  rich  blessings  of  the  new  cove- 
nant, I  subscribe  myself  your  affectionate  father.'' 

"April  28,  1818. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"Col.  B.  is  expecting  to  set  out  with  his  family  for 
the  State  of  Ohio,  the  forepart  of  next  week,  by  whom 
we  intend  to  forward  letters  to  you.  I  have  read  a  letter, 
which  you  wrote  to  Mr.  B.,  and  also  one  to  Dr.  B.  and 
Mr.  T.,  from  which  I  learn,  that  He,  in  whose  service 
you  profess  to  be  engaged,  has  favored  you  with  health, 
and  that  you  are  still  pleased  with  the  country,  and  with 
your  employment.  You  have  now  been  absent  from  us 
more  than  seven  months.  I  hope  you  have  been  instru- 
mental of  doing  some  good,  in  comforting  and  strength- 
ening the  saints,  and  enlightening  the  impenitent.  I  had 
indulged  the  hope,  that  in  Burrell's  settlement  a  work  of 
divine  grace  had  commenced,  which  would  be  powerful 
and  extensive,  and  that  the  Lord  would  give  you  many 
.souls,  as  the  seal  of  your  ministry  ;  but  as  you  made  no 
mention  of  its  increase,  in  your  communication  to  Dr.  B., 
I  fear  that  the  Holy  Spirit  has  been  grieved  away.  If 
only  one  precious  soul  has  been  delivered  from  the  do- 
minion of  sin,  through  your  instrumentality,  it  will  amply 
16  * 


186 


MEMOIR  OF 


compensate  you  for  all  your  labors  and  fatigues.  The 
conversion  of  one  sinner,  is  an  infinitely  greater  good  than 
the  acquisition  of  all  the  wealth  in  New  Connecticut.  I 
have  had  a  longing  desire  to  witness  your  intercourse, 
your  manner  of  preaching — of  conducting  conferences, 
and  visits,  among  that  people.  The  influence  and  success 
of  a  missionary  depend  greatly  on  his  life  and  conversa- 
tion. H5  must  be  uniformly  grave  and  devout — admin- 
istering conviction  to  the  young  and  old,  that  he  himself 
feels  the  weight  of  those  truths  whicii  he  inculcates  in 
his  preaching.    He  must  be  eminently  a  man  of  prayer." 

"  Sept.  26,  1818. 

"  My  dear  Lucy, 

"  Though  your  mind  is  now  occupied  with  scenes 
which  are  new,  and  I  hope  profitable  to  you,  yet  your 
parents  cannot  easily  be  forgotten,  nor  the  family  circle 
in  which  you  have  been  nurtured.  Nearly  two  weeks 
have  elapsed,  since  you  so  suddenly  took  your  departure 
from  the  parental  roof  I  barely  had  opportunity  to  give 
you  the  parting  hand.  My  heart  was  full,  and  my  desires 
were  ardent,  to  store  your  mind  with  some  salutary  coun- 
sel and  advice,  as  a  little  guide  and  directory  for  your 
general  conduct,  in  your  present  situation.  Nor  could  I 
have  been  reconciled  to  the  idea  of  parting  with  you,  as 
I  did,  were  it  not  for  the  full  confidence  I  reposed  in  the 
dear  Christian  friends,  who  kindly  offered  to  be  your 
benefactors,  and  to  whose  watchful  care  I  resigned  you. 
Scarcely  had  I  left  you,  for  the  purpose  of  attending  the 
funeral,  before  the  thought  occurred,  that  I  had  omitted 
to  tell  you  to  procure  for  yourself  a  Bible,  in  N.  or  H. 
Attend  to  this,  my  child,  immediately.  Let  not  a  day 
pass  without  reading  with  careful  attention  at  least  four 
chapters  of  the  precious  word  of  God.  In  that  sacred 
book,  God  speaks  to  you  on  the  concerns  of  your  soul. 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


187 


Read  it,  therefore,  witli  solemn  awe,  remembering  that 
its  contents  are  far  more  interesting  to  you  than  every 
thing  else.  You  have  often  been  instructed  on  the  nature 
and  importance  of  prayer.  If  you  wish  to  be  an  obedient 
child,  and  share  in  God's  blessings,  you  will  let  these  in- 
structions have  an  influence  on  your  practice. 

"  Let  all  your  treatment  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  P.  be  marked 
with  the  attention  and  respect  which  a  dutiful  child  will 
manifest  to  an  affectionate  parent.  Never  be  absent  from 
their  seasons  of  family  devotion.  If  there,  are  young 
ladies  boarding  with  you,  let  all  your  intercourse  with 
them  in  the  family,  and  in  walking  to  and  from  the 
academy,  evince  your  sobriety  and  discretion.  If  you 
should  become  thoughtless  and  gay,  you  will  bring  re- 
proach upon  your  parents  who  have  taken  so  much  pains 
to  guide  you,  in  childhood,  and  you  will  also  do  an  irre- 
parable injury  to  yourself 

"  Be  diligent  in  the  improvement  of  your  time ;  be  stu- 
dious, and  cultivate  your  mind,  that  you  may  be  useful  in 
the  world.  Encourage  the  preceptress,  or  your  instructor, 
to  do  you  good,  by  your  willingness  to  be  taught. 

""Write  often  to  some  of  us,  and  let  us  know  your  trials 
and  your  joys. 

"  And  now,  after  commending  you  to  God,  I  subscribe 
myself  your  affectionate  father." 

"  Oct.  13, 1818. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  For  a  number  of  weeks  past,  we  have  been  in  a 
state  of  suspense,  with  respect  to  your  return,  not  know- 
ing what  might  be  your  determination,  after  receiving 
some  of  my  last  letters.  It  was,  on  the  whole,  our  pre- 
vailing belief,  that  you  would  make  your  calculations  to 
reach  Massachusetts  by  the  first  of  October.     On  Satur- 


188 


MEMOIR  OF 


day  last,  your  letter  of  September  25th  came  to  hand, 
giving  us  a  detail  of  your  labors  and  apparent  success, 
from  the  first  of  August  to  the  close  of  your  first  appoint- 
iDent,  and  of  your  determination  to  continue  six  months 
longer,  agreeable  to  the  proposal  of  the  committee.  I 
dedicated  you  to  the  service  of  God  many  years  ago,  and 
consistently  with  this,  I  could  not  call  you  away  from  the 
present  field  of  your  labor,  while  I  had  so  much  evidence 
that  your  labor  has  not  been  wholly  in  vain  in  the  Lord. 
On  reading  your  letter,  however,  there  was  a  struggle  be- 
tween parental  affection  and  a  conviction  of  duty.  Your 
journal,  as  far  as  you  gave  a  view  of  it,  was  very  interest- 
ing to  me,  and  to  others  who  have  heard  it.  I  read  it 
publicly,  after  the  religious  exercises,  on  the  Sabbath. 
Your  collections,  on  your  mission,  though  not  quite  equal 
to  the  encouragement  given  by  the  people,  exceed  my 
most  sanguine  expectations.  The  sum  is  more  than 
double  the  amount  which  any  other  missionary  from  our 
society  has  received  in  the  same  time.  While  you  have 
encouraged  the  society,  you  have  taught  the  people  iu  the 
new  settlements  to  help  themselves.  This  will  be  training 
them  up  to  support  the  gospel  and  its  institutions,  as  soon 
as  they  shall  be  able.  I  desire  that  God's  holy  name  may 
be  praised  by  me,  and  by  all  my  family,  and  especially  by 
you,  in  giving  you  so  much  health  and  strength,  during 
the  whole  of  the  last  year,  and  in  enabling  you  to  accom- 
plish so  much,  as  a  missionary  of  the  cross.  From  the 
united  testimony  of  many,  I  learn  that  your  labors  in 
Dover  and  its  vicinities,  have  been  acceptable.  I  hope 
that  your  fidelity  and  success  will  not  be  less  in  the 
present  field  of  labor.  You  must  not  lean  to  your  own 
understanding,  but  rely  on  the  grace  of  Christ,  which,  if 
fervently  implored,  will  be  sufficient  for  you,  in  every  time 
of  need.  I  once  more  commend  you  to  the  grace  of 
God." 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


189 


"AW  17,  ] 818. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  I  hope  that  your  long  absence  from  us  will  not  be 
in  vain  to  yourself,  nor  to  the  numerous  souls  whom  you 
have  opportunity  to  instruct  in  the  great  things  of  the 
kingdom  of  Christ.  It  has  afforded  me  unspeakable  satis- 
faction to  learn,  that  you  have  been  so  active  as  a  mis- 
sionary of  the  cross,  and,  that  no  report,  unfavorable  to 
your  character,  has  been  wafted  to  my  ears.  I  must 
again,  as  I  have  attempted  often  to  do,  commit  you  to  the 
disposal  of  the  great  Head  of  the  church,  whose  servant 
you  profess  to  be.  I  cannot  desire  to  have  a  son  in  a 
better  or  more  honorable  employment,  than  the  one  in 
which  you  are  engaged.  But  while  I  rejoice  in  your 
labors  and  apparent  success,  I  regret  that  you  are  deprived 
of  so  many  advantages  which  you  need  to  increase  the 
stock  of  your  theological  and  literary  knowledge.  I  fear 
that  you  will  insensibly  fall  into  a  loose  and  unconnected 
way  of  preaching.  Guard  yourself  against  this,  as  much 
as  possible  ;  which  can  be.  effected  only  by  close  applica- 
tion to  study.  I  hope  the  deficiency  of  external  advan- 
tages will  be  more  than  made  up  to  you,  by  the  commu- 
nications of  divine  grace  ;  so  that  if  I  should  live  to  see 
you  again,  and  to  hear  you  preach,  I  may  witness  with 
pleasure  the  excellency  of  your  spiHt,  and  the  unction 
with  which  you  may  write  and  speak. 

"  I  have  passed  through  many  very  trying  scenes,  since 
I  saw  you  ;  some  of  which  have  been  almost  too  much  for 
my  feeble  frame.  ,  The  last  trial,  of  a  public  nature,  which 
I  have  had  to  encounter,  relates  to  the  removal  of  Wil- 
liams college.  This  subject  has  pressed  hard  upon  my 
mind  for  more  than  two  months.  A  special  meeting  of 
the  corporation  was  called  last  week,  to  attend  to  the 
subject.  The  president  signified  that  he  should  resign 
his  office,  in  case  we  refused  to  remove.    Many  gentle- 


190 


MEMOIR  OF 


men  from  Hampshire  appeared  before  us  to  state  their 
respective  claims,  and  among  the  rest,  N.  W.,  Esq.  We 
finally  resolved  to  remove  Williams  college  to  a  more 
central  part  of  Massachusetts,  whenever  sufficient  funds 
shall  be  'raised  to  effect  the  object,  and  there  shall  be 
union  in  the  public  sentiment  with  respect  to  the  place, 
together  with  the  sanction  of  the  legislature.  To  guide 
the  corporation  in  locating  the  college,  we  have  appointed 
a  committee  to  select  the  place.  The  committee  are  the 
following  gentlemen,  viz.  Chancellor  Kent,  of  Albany  ; 
Hon.  Nathaniel  Smith,  of  Connecticut ;  and  Rev.  Dr. 
Payson,  of  New  Hampshire.  This  decision  has  e.xcited 
great  opposition  in  Williamstown,  as  you  might  naturally 
suppose.  What  the  result  will  be,  must  be  left  with  Him, 
who  holdeth  all  hearts  in  his  hands. 

"  With  respect  to  the  state  of  religion  in  the  county,  I 
have  nothing  to  communicate  which  will  be  cheering  to 
you.  It  is  a  stupid,  melancholy  time.  God  is  withhold- 
ing the  influences  of  his  Spirit,  and  many  brethren  in 
different  churches  are  falling  out  by  the  way.  My  own 
health  and  that  of  your  mother  is  comfortable,  but  we  are 
rapidly  advancing  in  age.  Accept  from  us  all  the  most 
tender  salutations.  Present  the  same  to  Esq.  L.,  Deacon 
B.,  and  Mr.  C." 

«  Dec.  10,  1818. 

"  My  dear  Lucy, 

"  We  have  received  no  intelligence  from  you,  since 
the  return  of  Mr.  P.  This  has  occasioned  some  anxiety 
in  the  minds  of  your  parents.  Shall  we  attribute  your 
silence  to  ill  health  ?  This  would  be  attended  with 
anxiety.  Shall  we  conclude  that  new  friends  have  dimin- 
ished your  attachment  to  your  parents,  and  the  family 
circle,  in  which  you  was  nurtured  ?  This  would  give  us 
all  great  pain  indeed.    The  most  favorable  con5truction> 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


191 


Avhich  we  put  on  your  neglect  of  writing  to  us,  is,  that 
your  studies  so  fully  occupy  your  attention,  as  to  leave 
little  time  for  letter-writing.  But,  we  recollect,  that  you 
have  had  a  vacation  of  a  fortnight  or  more.  We  say  to 
each  other,  Why  did  not  Lucy  improve  some  part  of  this 
time,  in  writing  a  good  letter  to  her  parents,  to  gladden 
their  hearts,  in  her  absence  from  them  t  To  this  inquiry 
we  know  not  what  answer  to  make. 

"I  wrote  you,  by  private  conveyance,  on  the  week  of 
Thanksgiving,  and  gave  some  <lirections  relative  to  your 
studies  this  quarter.  Harriet  wrote  a  part  of  the  sheet, 
containing  my  letter.  I  have  some  fears  that  the  packet 
has  not  reached  you. 

"  If  you  have  made  a  visit  to  N.,  as  Mrs.  H.  kindly 
designed  you  should,  I  hope  the  polite  attentions  you 
there  received  from  your  father's  old  friends  will  be  no 
injury  to  you.  Remember,  my  dear  child,  that  man's 
best  portion,  the  fear  of  God,  is  oftener  found  in  the 
humble  cottage,  than  in  the  spacious  mansions  of  the 
rich.  All,  who  will  finally  dwell  with  Christ  in  heaven, 
are  made  willing  not  to  lay  up  their  treasures  on  the 
earth.  Religion  is  a  more  important  attainment  than 
riches,  or  learning,  or  honors,  or  any  thing  else.  It  is 
my  daily  prayer,  that  this  may  be  your  happy  portion.  A 
kind  Providence,  my  child,  now  presents  you  with  supe- 
rior advantages  for  the  cultivation  of  your  mind,  and  for 
the  acquisition  of  that  knowledge,  which  is  the  health  of 
the  soul.  The  best  proof  you  can  give  of  appreciating 
these  advantages,  is  to  be  very  diligent  in  the  improve- 
ment of  them. " 

"Jan.  26,  1819. 

"  My  dear  Daughter, 

"  Your  letter  to  your  sister  H.,  dated  the  18th  inst., 
reached  us  on  Saturday,  the  23d  inst.    I  desire  to  bless 


192 


MEMOIR  OF 


God,  for  his  great  goodness  in  favoring  you  with  health  to 
pursue  your  studies.  It  seems  that  your  opportunities  for 
the  cultivation  and  improvement  of  your  mind  are  such, 
that  with  proper  diligence  and  assiduity,  you  may  lay  a 
good  foundation  to  be  useful  in  the  world.  Be  assured, 
my  daughter,  that  without  close  application  to  your  books, 
your  knowledge  will  be  superficial,  even  with  the  best 
advantages.  Spare  no  pains  to  understand  the  branches 
of  study  marked  out  for  you,  and  let  it  be  no  satisfaction 
tojour  mind  to  go,  with  others,  over  ground  which  you 
have  not  thoroughly  e.xplored. 

"  It  was  particularly  gratifying,  and  T  may  say  animating 
to  my  mind,  to  read  your  account  of  an  increasing  atten- 
tion to  religion  in  H.  The  richest  of  all  blessings, 
bestowed  on  mortals,  are  the  sanctifying  influences  of  the 
Holy  Spirit.  O  that  this  good  work,  of  which  you  make 
mention,  might  greatly  increase  in  that  place,  and  that  a 
multitude  of  perishing  sinners,  convinced  of  their  lost 
state,  may  take  refuge  in  Christ.  Your  soul,  my  child, 
is  no  more  precious  than  that  of  another  ;  though,  on 
account  of  the  privileges  you  have  enjoyed  from  your 
earliest  years,  your  future  condemnation  will  be  far  more 
aggravated  than  that  of  many  others,  if  you  spend  your 
days  a  stranger  to  Christ.  I  cannot  but  indulge  a  hope, 
that  God  has  mercy  in  store  for  many  of  the  dear  youth 
in  the  academy,  and  that,  if  it  may  be  consistent  with  his 
eternal  counsels,  you  may  be  brought  to  the  saving 
knowledge  of  the  truth.  As  you  frequently  attend  reli- 
gious meetings,  you  hear  much  of  Christ,  and  much  of 
the  danger  of  a  life  of  sin.  When  the  spirit  of  religion  is 
revived,  the  mouths  of  all  faithful  ministers  are  opened, 
and  all  true  Christians  awake  from  their  slumbers.  Can 
you,  my  daughter,  be  an  unconcerned  spectator  of  the 
anguish  of  soul,  which  you  hear  others  express,  in  view  of 
their  exceeding  sinfulness,  and  the  danger  of  falling 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


193 


under  tlie  wrath  of  a  holy  God  ?  Seasons  of  awakening 
and  turning  from  sin  unto  the  Lord,  are  liarvest  seasons. 
Possibly  God  has  opened  a  door,  in  his  providence,  for 
you  to  be  at  H.  at  this  time,  to  receive  a  blessing  from 
your  Saviour,  and  that  you  may  return  to  your  parents,  a 
spiritual  child,  to  be  endeared  to  us  by  ties  surpassing 
all  earthly  ties.  I  once  more  commit  you  to  the  disposal 
of  Ilim,  who  gave  you  to  us,  and  whose  mercies  are 
boundless. 

"  That  you  may  feel  your  obligations  to  God,  for  rais- 
ing you  up  friends  in  the  family  where  you  reside,  and 
that  you  may  rejoice  in  redeeming  love,  and  be  to  Christ 
for  a  name  and  praise,  is  the  fervent  prayer  of  your  affec- 
tionate father." 

"March  8,  1819. 

"My  dear  Son, 

"On  my  return  from  West  Stockbridge,  where  I 
preached  yesterday,  by  exchange  with  Mr.  S.,  I  found 
a  letter  from  you,  which  I  have  perused  with  pleasure. 
Particularly  interesting  to  my  feelings  was  the  information, 
relating  to  the  increasing  attention  to  religion  in  Williams- 
town,  and  the  appearance  of  solemnity  in  the  college. 
Such  news  is  very  important  and  animating.  If  it  should 
please  God  to  cause  a  shower  of  grace  to  fall  upon  the 
college,  and  bring  into  his  kingdom  the  greatest  part  of 
the  students,  it  would  be  a  rich  and  extensive  blessing  to 
the  church.  The  happy  subjects  would  think  of  nothing 
but  to  prepare  to  enter,  in  due  time,  the  harvest,  which  is 
so  plenteous.  I  hope,  my  dear  son,  that  you,  and  your 
room-mate,  may  not  be  left  in  a  state  of  stupidity  and  sin. 
Be  cautious  of  making  light  of  the  solemn  appearance 
and  convictions  of  others.  Remember,  that  notwithstand- 
ing you  have  been  an  obedient  child,  you  are,  by  nature, 
an  enemy  to  the  purity  of  God's  law,  and  can  never  be 
17 


194 


MEMOIR  OF 


saved  without  a  change  of  heart.  You  must  Icarn  to 
glory,  hot  in  your  own  attainments,  but  in  the  cross  of 
Christ;  or  you  will  be  unhappy  in  this  world,  and  unhappy 
forever.  A  revival  of  religion  is  always  attended  with 
a  great  increase  of  privileges  to  those  who  witness  it. 
There  will  be  more  prayers,  more  instruction,  and  more 
to  convince  one  of  the  importance  of  immediate  repent- 
ance, than  in  other  places.  I  hope  you  will  redeem  time 
to  attend  the  religious  meetings  as  frequently  as  possible. 
If  the  Lord  should  open  your  eyes  to  see  your  danger,  and 
the  excellency  of  religion,  it  is  probable  you  will  wonder 
I  have  not  spoken  to  you  more  frequently,  and  with  more 
earnestness,  on  the  subject. 

"  I  must,  once  more,  commend  you  to  the  guidance 
and  holy  keeping  of  Him,  who,  in  his  providence,  has 
prepared  the  way  for  you  to  become  a  member  of  college. 
Diligent  and  persevering  study,  and  not  reliance  on 
genius,  makes  the  useful  scholar." 

"  Dec.  12,  1819. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  I  have  received  two  short  letters  from  you,  since 
my  return  from  Ohio,  the  last  of  which  was  dated  Oct.  17. 
In  this  time,  I  have  forwarded  two  for  your  perusal,  one  of 
which  was  accompanied  with  three  copies  of  my  Sketches, 
&c.  of  Dr.  W.  It  was  peculiarly  gratifying  to  mc,  that 
you  was  able  to  state  in  your  last,  that  nothing  had  tran- 
spired to  interrupt  the  harmony  of  your  new  relation.  I 
noticed  some  collision  of  feelings  respecting  the  place  of 
meeting,  on  the  Sabbath,  which  gave  me  some  anxiety. 
Before  this  time,  I  trust  the  town-house  has  been  com- 
pleted, and  those  feelings  wholly  subsided.  You  made 
mention  of  the  hopeful  conversion  of  a  youth,  since  your 
ordination.  This  was  joyful  news  to  me.  The  recovery 
of  one  sinner  from  the  ruins  of  the  fall,  is  a  greater  event 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


195 


than  the  temporal  prosperity  of  a  whole  town,  or  even  of  a 
whole  nation.  Such  an  event  diffuses  joy  in  heaven.  I 
hope  the  case  of  the  youth,  to  which  you  referred,  will  not 
prove  like  the  morning  dew ;  but  be  a  prelude  to  a  rich 
harvest  of  souls  in  Madison. 

"  Not  a  day  passes,  without  bringing  your  responsible 
situation  full  to  my  view.  I  sometimes  tremble  for  you  : 
at  other  times  I  am  much  comforted,  especially  when  my 
mind  rests  upon  the  promises  which  Christ  has  made  to 
earthen  vessels.  Relying  u])on  these  promises,  you  may 
■do  some  good  as  a  minister.  But,  my  son,  remember  that 
means  and  ends  are  connected  ;  and  that  success  without 
■diligence  is  no  more  to  be  expected  by  the  minister  thah 
by  the  farmer.  Give  your  mind,  then,  to  study.  A  few 
of  the  first  years  will  give  a  cast  to  the  whole  of  your 
ministry.  May  God  make  you  humble,  give  you  wisdom 
and  prudence,  draw  you  nigh  unto  himself,  and  bless  your 
labors. 

"The  remainder  of  this  sheet  will  be  occupied  with  the 
Charge  to  a  Deacon. 

"  Brother  J.  B,  You  having  been  chosen,  by  the 
brethren  of  this  church,  as  being  in  their  view  a  meet 
person  to  fill  the  office  of  a  deacon,  and  having,  after 
suitable  time  to  weigh  and  examine  this  call  to  the  dis- 
charge of  new  duties  in  the  kingdom  of  Christ,  manifested 
your  acceptance  of  the  appointment,  and  having  been 
consecrated  to  the  office,  by  prayer — it  is  proper  that 
something  be  said  to  you  respecting  the  nature  of  this 
office,  and  the  new  obligations  it  devolves  upon  you.  A 
few  thoughts  addressed  to  you,  on  this  occasion,  may  be 
for  your  benefi^t  and  quickening,  and  for  the  instruction 
and  edification  of  those  who  have  witnessed  your  conse- 
cration. Wlien  pur  blessed  Saviour  ascended  on  high, 
he  graciously  provided  for  the  church,  by  giving  apostles, 
prophets,   evangelists,  pastors   and  teachers.  Apostles 


196 


MEMOIR  OF 


were  special  witnesses  of  tlie  resurrection  of  Chrrs(, 
having  actually  seen  the  risen  Saviour.  Bishops,  elders, 
pastors  and  teachers,  are  the  ministers  who  statedly 
exercise  their  office  in  a  particular  branch  of  the  visible 
church.  These  terms  are  promiscuously  u.sed  to  express 
the  same  office.  He  who  is  a  bishop,  is  an  elder  and 
pastor ;  and  he  who  is  a  pastor,  is  a  bishop  and  elder. 
The  holy  scriptures  speak  of  but  one  more  office  in  the 
church,  which  is  that  of  a  deacon.  Accordingly,  the 
apostle  Paul,  in  addressing  the  church  at  Philippi,  men- 
tions particularly  the  brethren,  with  the  officers  of  the 
church,  viz.,  bishops  or  pastors,  and  deacons.  His  words 
are  these — '  Paul  and  Timotlieus,  the  servants  of  Jesus 
Christ,  to  all  the  saints  in  Christ  Jesus,  which  are  at 
Philippi,  with  the  bishops  and  deacons.'  The  word 
deacon,  is  used  to  signify  an  officer  in  the  church,  chosen 
from  among  the  brethren,  whose  business  it  is  to  serve 
in  distributing  the  elements  at  the  Lord's  table,  and 
to  provide  for,  and  minister  to,  the  wants  of  the  poor. 
When  ihe  conveits  lo  ilie  Clirioiian  Tdith  \vere  exceed- 
ingly multiplied  at  Jerusalem,  'there  arose  a  murmuring  of 
the  Grecians  against  the  Hebrews,  because  their  widows 
were  neglected  in  the  daily  ministration.  Then  the 
twelve  called  the  multitude  of  the  disciples  unto  them, 
and  said.  It  is  not  reason,  that  we  should  leave  the  word 
of  God,  and  serve  tables.  Wherefore,  brethren,  look  ye 
out  among  you  seven  men  of  honest  report,  full  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  and  wisdom,  whom  we  may  appoint  over 
this  business.  But  we  will  give  ourselves  continually  to 
prayer,  and  to  the  ministry  of  the  word.'  This  is  the 
scriptural  account  of  the  origin  of  deacons.  In  the 
apostle  Paul's  first  letter  to  Timothy,  he  minutely  de- 
scribes the  qualifications  of  the  officers  of  the  church. 
He  begins  with  those  of  a  bishop  or  pastor,  and  proceeds 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


197 


immediately  to  those  of  a  deacon.  '  Liliewise  must  the 
deacons  be  grave,  not  double-tongued,'  &c. 

"With  these  scriptures  before  us,  relating  to  the  office 
of  a  deacon,  and  pointing  out  the  duties  and  qualifications 
for  the  office,  I  am  led  to  charge  you,  dear  brother,  to  be 
blameless,  sober,  grave,  temperate  and  faithful — and  to 
rule  well  your  own  house,  having  your .  children  under 
subjection.  Let  your  light  shine  in  this  office,  and  cheer- 
fully discharge  the  duties  of  it.  Let  not  the  hopes  and 
expectations  of  your  brethren  be  disappointed.  Be  a  man 
of  prayer,  and  feel  your  obligation  to  lead  in  prayer,  in 
conferences,  and  other  religious  meetings,  as  occasion  may 
call.  Give  yourself  to  reading  and  meditation,  that  you 
may  be  enabled,  by  divine  grace,  to  perform  to  the  edifica- 
tion of  those  who  unite  with  you.  Be  willing  to  make 
worldly  sacrifices,  that  you  may  be  useful  in  this  important 
office,  yea,  may  magnify  it,  and  impress  the  minds  of  the 
members  of  the  church,  tliat  you  are  willing  to  serve  them, 
at  the  table  of  the  Lord,  and  on  other  occasions.  Let 
your  eyes  be  open  to  discern  the  wants  of  the  poor,  and 
labor  to  aflford  them  relief,  in  private  charities,  and  in  the 
wise  and  faithful  distribution  of  the  charities  of  the  church. 
Having  used  the  office  of  a  deacon  well,  may  you  pur- 
chase to  yourself  a  good  degree,  and  great  boldness  in  the 
faith  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus.  Long  may  the  church  in 
this  place  rejoice  in  your  light,  in  your  holy  conversation, 
in  your  zeal,  in  your  humility ;  and  God  grant  that  this 
office  may  never,  through  your  unfaithfulness,  be  re- 
proached. To  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost,  be  all  the 
glory  forever.  Amen." 

"Feh.  1,  1820. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"It  is  almost  four  months  since  I  have  received  any 
letter  from  you  ;  and  you  must  not  think  strange  if  we 
17  * 


198 


MEMOIR  OF 


begin  to  be  somewhat  impatient  to  become  acquainted 
with  your  present  situation.  In  two  or  three  instances, 
however,  wo  have  had  some  indirect  account  from  you. 
Yesterday  I  lieard  a  letter  had  been  received  by  Mrs.  B., 
from  Madison,  communicating  the  interesting  tidings,  that 
God  was  '  reviving  his  work '  among  the  people  of  your 
charge.  The  gentleman,  who  informed  me  of  this,  said, 
he  understood  that  the  church  had  received  an  accession 
of  twelve  persons.  No  intelligence  from  Madison  could 
animate  my  feelings  equal  to  tidings  of  this  kind.  I  have 
ardently  hoped,  and  frequently  attempted  to  pray,  that 
such  an  event  inight  take  place.  If,  my  dear  son,  the 
Lord  has  graciously  begun  to  impart  divine  influences  to 
that  people,  and  to  call  from  among  them  his  elect,  how 
important  it  is,  that  you  give  him  all  the  glory.  It  is  not 
within  the  limits  of  your  power,  nor  that  of  any  other 
man,  to  make  one  stupid  sinner  think  seriously  of  his  lost 
condition,  or  of  his  need  of  a  Saviour.  God  has  mercy 
on  whom  he  will  have  mercy,  and  he  can  make  use  of  the 
feeblest  instruments  to  effect  his  eternal  purposes,  in  the 
salvation  of  men.  Still,  no  honor  can  be  so  great,  as  to 
be  the  liumble  and  dependent  instrument  of  saving  souls 
from  eternal  death.  If  what  I  have  heard  be  true,  your 
labors  must  be  greatly  increased  and  doubly  arduous;  yet 
they  must  be  pleasant  indeed.  O  that  the  tokens  of 
divine  mercy,  which  you  have  witnessed,  may  not  be 
as  the  drops  of  the  morning  dew.  On  the  contrary,  I 
hope  a  work  of  grace  has  begun,  which  will  increase  like 
the  cloud  big  with  the  rain  of  heaven,  and  which  may 
issue  in  a  rich  harvest  of  souls.  Perhaps,  while  I  am 
writing  and  meditating  on.  this  interesting  subject,  the 
Lord  is  making  bare  his  almighty  arm,  not  only  in  rescu- 
ing from  the  pit  of  pollution,  sinners  in  Madison,  but  in 
all  the  region  round  about  you.  I  know  '  his  hand  is  not 
shortened  that  it  cannot  save,  nor  his  ear  heavy  that  it 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


199 


cannot  hear.'  I  desire  to  rejoice  that  all  hearts  are  in  his 
hands.  May  God  impart  wisdom,  grace  and  strength  to 
you,  equal  to  all  your  necessities.  Preach  plainly  as 
Christ  did,  and  keep  your  garments  pure  from  the  blood 
of  souls.  1  trust  that  if  there  is  a  revival  of  religion 
among  your  people,  you  have  the  aid  and  counsel  of  the 
brethren,  C,  L.,  S.,  S.,  and  others  more  remote.  To  all 
these  brethren,  and  to  others  when  you  see  them,  I  wish 
to  be  affectionately  remembered." 

"  Feb.  9,  1820. 

"  My  dear  Daughter, 

"We  have  heard  interesting  news  from  Madison, 
though  we  have  received  no  letter  from  Alvan  since  you 
left  Lee.  There  is  something  of  an  awakening  in  that 
place ;  but  I  am  not  able  to  state  particulars.  Perhaps  I 
have  had  representations  made  more  favorable  than  is  real. 
But  the  intelligence  is  animating  to  me.  And  I  hope,  my 
dear  daughter,  it  will  affect  your  heart.  Do  you  not 
sometimes  fear,  that  the  best  part  of  your  life  will  be 
spent  in  abusing  the  mercies  of  God,  and  neglecting  the 
care  of  your  soul  ?  If  you  suffer  your  youthful  days  to 
pass  away,  without  embracing  the  Saviour,  the  probability 
will  be  small  indeed,  that  you  will  ever  be  brought  to  the 
saving  knowledge  of  him.  Consider  the  worth  of  your 
soul,  and  be  wise.  In  a  few  years,  at  the  longest,  you 
will  be  in  the  grave,  as  your  brother  Charles  now  is,  and 
all  gospel  seasons  will  be  forever  at  an  end.  You  need 
the  trusting  place,  which  Mrs.  F.  appeared  to  have,  who 
lately  died,  in  this  place.  She  commenced  a  walk  with 
God,  when  she  was  about  your  age.  Conscious  that  she 
loved  her  Saviour,  and  that  his  promises  were  all  sure, 
death  had  no  terrors  to  her." 


200 


MEMOIR  OF 


"July  1,  1820. 

"  My  beloved  Son, 

"  I  liave  liad  the  perusal  of  a  short  letter  from  you 
to  your  sister  H.,  from  which  I  inferred  that  you  enjoyed 
health.  The  heat  is  now  very  oppressive,  and  you  must 
take  the  best  possible  care  of  yourself,  by  temperate  ex- 
ercise in  the  cool  of  the  day,  especially  in  the  morning, 
and  by  taking  a  sufficient  quantity  of  food.  Knowing 
that  you  have  to  prepare  for  an  exhibition  in  August,  I 
have  felt  uncommon  solicitude  for  your  success.  You  will 
feel  a  responsibility,  on  that  occasion,  to  which,  on  all 
other  occasions,  you  have  been  a  stranger.  But,  my  son, 
be  not  discouraged.  You  may  not  be  satisfied  with  your 
first,  nor  your  second,  nor  your  third  attempt.  With 
reference  to  your  subject,  read  and  write  with  great  care 
and  patience.  Examine  and  re-examine  the  arguments 
you  design  to  introduce  in  support  of  your  position. 
Arrange  your  arguments  skilfully,  and  be  sure  to  close 
with  the  most  weighty  and  conclusive.  Let  your  com- 
position be  free  from  high-sounding  words,  introduced 
without  much  meaning,  and  without  any  point  or  force. 
Let  it  be  pure  and  classical.  To  attain  this  object,  you 
must  bestow  on  your  piece  much  of  what  rhetoricians  call 
limcB  labor.  Your  first  essay  for  public  hearing,  if  it 
bear  the  marks  of  a  scholar,  will  give  a  turn  to  all  your 
future  compositions.  It  may  keep  up  your  courage,  when 
I  tell  you,  that  I  spent  one  full  month  in  writing  my  first 
sermon. 

"  H.  and  I  have  visited  Pittsfield  and  Richmond,  the 
present  week.  At  both  places,  I  preached  to  solemn 
assemblies.  There  were  not  less  than  five  hundred 
people,  at  an  evening  lecture,  when  I  preached  at  Pitts- 
field,  and  more  than  a  hundred  attended  a  prayer-meeting 
just  after  the  rising  of  the  sun.  I  hope,  my  son,  you  do 
not  hear  of  these  displays  of  God's  power  and  grace  with 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


201 


indifference,  but  with  deep  interest.  I  must  remind  you, 
that  now  is  an  accepted  time,  a  most  favorable  time  to 
give  yourself  to  Christ,  to  be  his  servant  forever.  Nothing 
relating  to  you  would  rejoice  my  heart  so  much,  as  to  hear 
of  your  coming  into  the  light  and  liberty  of  the  gospel. 
Alvan  has  recently  written  to  S.,  and  mentions  that  there 
is  unusual  attention  at  Madison.  He  has  established  a 
Sabbath  school  in  that  town,  consisting  of  one  hundred 
and  eighty  scholars.  He  appears  to  have  some  perse- 
verance." 

"  Sept.  30,  1820. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  Your  mother  and  I  returned,  last  evening,  from 
Franklin,  the  place  of  my  nativity  and  of  the  sepulchres 
of  my  fathers.  On  my  arrival  home,  I  found  a  letter 
from  you,  which  was  refreshing  to  my  wearied  mind. 
The  Head  of  the  church  has  suffered  jr^^outo  stand  one 
year,  as  a  bishop  of  souls  ;  and  I  would  hope  without 
giving  special  occasion  for  the  ministry  to  be  blamed.  It 
is  matter  of  thankfulness  and  praise.  Our  friend,  Mr.  S., 
did  not  pass  this  way,  and  I  know  not  how  to  account 
for  it.  On  my  journey  to  Connecticut,  I  saw  two  of  your 
class-mates,  Rev.  O.  F.,  and  Mr.  K.,  both  of  whom 
wished  to  be  cordially  remembered  to  you.  There  has 
been  an  extensive  and  a  very  pleasing  work  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  at  P.,  under  the  preaching  of  Mr.  F.  In  this  town, 
I  fear  the  good  work  is  subsiding,  and  that  we  have 
grieved  away  the  Spirit  of  God.  No  new  instances  of 
conviction  have  been  discovered,  for  several  days.  We, 
however,  hope  for  further  displays  of  divine  grace,  among 
us,  though  w  e  are  infinitely  unworthy  of  such  a  favor. 

"  I  rejoice  to  hear,  as  I  have  from  various  sources,  that 
you  have  the  affections  of  your  people.  You  must  never 
consider  your  mountain  strong,  nor  preach  yourself^  but 


202 


MEMOIR  OF 


Christ  Jesus  the  Lord  ;  nor  commend  yourself,  but  the 
truth,  to  every  man's  conscience.  You  have  a  library; 
read  much.  You  have  leisure;  study  much.  Many  a 
young  minister,  of  fair  prospects,  has  failed  of  retaining 
his  standing  among  his  people,  by  neglecting  his  studies. 
I  hope  you  will  be  wholly  devoted  to  your  work." 

"  Oct.  26,  1820. 

My  dear  Son, 

"  I  read,  with  pleasure,  your  letters  to  II.  and  S., 
though  I  found  not  a  line  to  myself  But  I  will  excuse 
your  inattention  to  me,  as  long  as  you  write  to  any  of  the 
family.  From  some  intimations  in  your  letter  to  H.,  I 
fear  your  health  is  not  very  good.  Esq.  N.,  however, 
seemed  to  think  you  was  entirely  sound,  and  in  good 
spirits.  I  am  aware  that  you  have  now  advanced  so  far 
in  the  field  of  science,  that  all  your  powers  of  mind  must 
be  called  i«i(r>/ .igorous  exertion,  and  that  there  is  danger 
of  keeping  the  bow  bent  too  long.  While  you  make 
close  application,  you  mu=t  endeavor  lo  preserve  the  tone 
of  your  body,  by  frequent  exercise  judiciously  used.  It 
seems  you  are  now  the  sole  lord  of  your  apartment,  as 
your  chum  has  left  you  for  a  season.  I  hope  you  will  not 
spend  a  single  hour,  in  a  dull  and  torpid  state  ;  but  when 
you  are  not  intensely  engaged  in  the  investigation  of 
knowledge,  seek  for  bodily  exercise.  Consider  it  as  no 
disparagement  to  be  seen  chopping  your  own  wood,  and 
conveying  it  to  your  room. 

"  Dev.ote  such  a  portion  of  your  time  to  your  daily 
recitations,  that  you  can  acquit  yourself  not  only  decently 
but  honorably,  before  your  tutor  and  the  class.  Strive  to 
become  ijrim us  inter  pares,  in  every  branch  of  science. 
You  must  have  system  in  the  books  you  read,  and  not  fall 
into  a  desultory  course.  Finish  what  you  begin,  unless 
you  unhappily  begin  a  work  of  no  merit.    Make  yourself 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


203 


master  of  your  author's  arguments,  and  be  not  contented, 
for  a  moment,  to  be  a  superficial  reader.  Take  particu- 
lar notice  of  his  style,  and  mark  the  excellencies  and 
defects  of  it.  I  have  often  intimated  to  you,  that  one  of 
the  most  difficult  attainments  for  the  scholar,  is,  the  art 
of  composing  correctly  and  elegantly,  so  that  the  reader 
or  hearer  of  what  he  writes,  will  not  fail  of  being  pleased 
and  edified.  No  one  reaches  this  point,  without  much 
patient  application.  In  acquiring  the  character  of  a  good 
writer,  if  ever  you  attain  to  it,  you  must  not  think  strange 
if  you  are  sometimes  led  to  rank  your  talents  below  those 
of  the  meanest  of  your  acquaintance.  But,  remember, 
my  son,  perseverance  will  remove  the  greatest  obstacles. 

"  To  be  a  respectable  scholar,  however,  is  not  the 
pearl  of  great  price.  You  may  excel  in  scientific  ac- 
quirements, and  be  a  wretched  man  at  last.  A  disposi- 
tion to  improve,  to  the  glory  of  your  Maker,  all  your 
talents  and  acquirements,  is  more  important  than  every 
thing  else  ;  and  without  this,  every  thing  bestowed  upon 
you  will  be  lost,  as  to  yourself,  whatever  benefit  others 
may  derive  from  you.  I  hope  you  will  not  soon  forget 
the  interview  we  had  together,  in  your  chamber,  when 
you  was  last  at  home." 

"May  15,  1821. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"I  wrote  you  last  week  by  Mr.  M.,  and  now  I  have 
opportunity  to  forward  a  letter  to  you  by  Mr.  P.,  who, 
with  his  wife,  intend  setting  out  to-morrow  for  Ohio,  on  a 
visit  to  their  daughters.  They  will  spend  a  day  or  two  in 
Madison.  I  hope  you  will  see  them,  and  not  fail  of  writ- 
ing by  them  on  their  return.  Acquaint  me  with  all  your 
concerns,  as  I  feel  a  deep  interest  in  every  thing  relating 
to  your  ministry,  whether  prosperous  or  adverse.    I  am 


204 


MEMOIR  OF 


naturaUy  led  to  propose  the  following  interrogatories — Is 
your  own  soul  in  health?  Have  you  that  evidence  of 
your  adoption  into  the  family  of  Christ,  which  inspires 
you  with  humble  boldness,  in  standing  as  God's  mouth  to 
the  people  of  your  charge  ?  Do  you  give  yourself  to 
study,  to  reading  the  books  of  the  wise,  the  learned  and 
the  faithful,  and  to  a  critical  examination  of  the  word  of 
God  ?  Is  it  your  aim  to  bring  weekly  into  the  sanctuary 
beaten  oil  ?  Do  you  enter  into  the  spiritual  concerns  of 
your  people ;  and  especially,  do  you  look  well  to  the 
spiritual  state  of  the  church,  of  which,  under  the  great 
Shepherd,  you  are  an  overseer  ?  Is  the  church  in  a  quiet 
and  healthful  state  ?  And  have  you  reason  to  hope  that 
you  are  feeding  some  of  the  sheep  and  lambs  of  Christ's 
fold? 

"  While  you  are  ministering  to  your  people  in  spiritual 
things,  are  they  disposed  to  keep  you  from  being  straitened 
and  embarrassed  in  your  worldly  affairs  ?  Have  you  been 
enabled  to  pay  for  the  whole  or  for  a  part  of  your  farm  ? 
I  know,  my  son,  you  have  your  trials;  for  no  man,  in  any 
situation  in  life,  is  exempted  from  them.  But  pray  for 
wisdom,  patience,  and  discretion.  Meet  your  trials  with 
fortitude.  '  Acknowledge  God  in  all  your  ways,  and  he 
will  direct  your  paths.' 

"  I  should  rejoice  in  hearing  that  you  had  found  a 
fellow-helper  in  your  work,  a  pious  and  discreet  com- 
panion, a  wife  that  would  unite  her  efforts  with  yours  in 
promoting  the  cause  of  Christ,  and  one  who  would  '  do 
you  good  and  not  evil  all  the  days  of  her  life.'  This 
would  contribute  not  a  little  to  your  usefulness.  It  would 
preserve  you  from  contractedness  and  rusticity,  which  are 
spots  in  a  minister's  character,  and  would  promote  expan- 
sion of  feelings  and  urbanity  of  manners." 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


205 


"■July  3,  1821. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  I  acknowledge  the  favor  of  two  short  letters  from 
your  hand,  within  a  few  weeks,  in  both  of  which  you 
make  mention  of  uncommon  seriousness  among  your 
people ;  and,  in  the  last,  of  a  number  of  hopeful  con- 
versions. This  was  pleasing  and  animating  news  to  me. 
In  the  .triumphs  of  the  Redeemer,  and  the  salvation  of 
souls,  we  ought  always  to  rejoice.  To  this  occasion  for 
joy,  was  added  another,  viz.  that  your  ministry  should  be 
so  early  blessed.  This  could  not  but  alfect  the  heart  of 
a  parent,  who  has  felt  much  anxiety  for  you,  cspe'cially 
while  prosecuting  your  studies  under  my  direction.  I 
hope  the  work  of  divine  grace  in  Madison  has  become 
general,  and  that  great  numbers  have  been  liberated  from 
the  bondage  of  sin  and  Satan.  I  have  had  a  strong 
desire  to  be  with  you  at  this  interesting  time,  and  to 
afford  you  some  assistance,  by  preaching  and  by  visiting 
with  you  from  house  to  house ;  but  such  a  thing  cannot 
be.  I  hope  the  Lord  will  be  with  you,  and  that  you  will 
be  constantly  asking  counsel  and  wisdom  from  Him,  who 
giveth  liberally. 

"  It  is  a  remarkable  time  in  New  England,  especially 
in  Connecticut.  In  that  small  State,  we  have  reason  to 
believe  some  thousands  of  souls  have  recently  been 
brought  into  the  kingdom  of  God's  dear  Son.  The 
work  has  been  powerful  in  N.  II.,  under  the  ministry 
of  our  friend  Mr.  Y.  I  have  been  an  eye-witness  of  it 
in  that  place,  and  in  some  others." 

«  Sept.  1,  1821. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  My  anxiety  respecting  your  health  has  been  con- 
siderably excited  since  I  received  your  last  letter.  A 
constant  cough,  occasioned  by  too  much  speaking,  is  a 
18 


205 


MEMOIR  OF 


bad  symptom,  and  not  easily  removed,  especially  if  the 
lungs  continue  to  be  used.  You  very  well  know  that  I  have 
suffered  much  in  this  way,  and  did  but  just  escape  a  fixed 
consumption.  On  this  account  I  tremble  the  more  for 
you.  I  hope  your  health  is  restored,  and  that  you  are 
again  ministering  to  your  people,  without  serious  injury. 
You  have  been  favored  with  no  inconsiderable  harvest  of 
souls.  I  rejoice  with  you  in  this  interesting  event.  On 
the  morrow,  the  happy  subjects  are  to  be  received  into  the 
church.  I  hope  to  remember  you  and  your  people,  at  the 
throne  of  grace,  and  may  the  Lord  add  his  blessing  to  the 
solemn  scene,  that  a  more  plentiful  harvest  may  succeed. 

"  I  witness  at  the  present  time,  in  this  town,  the  won- 
derful mercy  of  God.  The  church  has  been  gradually 
waking  up  all  summer.  A  number  of  tire  members  are 
now  quite  alive  and  very  active.  There  is  more  attentiors 
and  solemnity  in  the  town  than  I  have  witnessed  for  many 
years.  You  would  be  astonished  to  witness  some  of  our 
crowded  meetings,  consisting  of  impenitent  sinners  of 
every  age  and  description.  Many  are  anxious — some  are 
under  deep  conviction — and  some  are  rejoicing  in  God 
their  Saviour.  The  appearance  is  truly  encouraging  and 
animating.  My  labors,  as  you  will  readily  suppose,  are 
greatly  increased  ;  but  they  are  truly  pleasant.  How  long 
this  work  will  continue,  and  what  will  be  the  final  result, 
is  known  to  Him  alone,  who  holdeth  all  hearts  in  his 
hands.  Let  this  intelligence  excite  you  to  remember  the 
people  of  your  native  town,  and  the  family  in  which  you 
was  nurtured,  when,  as  a  suppliant,  you  approach  the 
throne  of  grace. 

"  Next  week  is  the  commencement  at  Williams  college. 
We  have  no  president.  Two  have  been  chosen  who  have 
declined  accepting  the  office.  Several  of  the  trustees  have 
again  urged  me  to  consent  to  be  elected ;  but  I  consider 
myself  too  far  advanced  in  life  to  engage  in  labors  so  new 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


207 


and  so  responsible.  If  I  were  fifteen  years  younger,  I 
might  think  more  seriously  of  changing  my  situation  ; 
especially  w  ith  a  view  of  educating  my  younger  sons. 

"  Two  years. ago,  this  -day,  I  assisted  in  your  ordination. 
I  have  never  regretted  my  having  made  that  effort,  though 
it  was  a  fatiguing  and  expensive  journey.  It  would  be 
pleasing  to  me  to  see  your  people  once  more,  that  I  might 
be  an  eye-witness  of  your  standing  among  them.  The 
journey  appears  far  less  formidable  to  me,  than  it  did  be- 
fore I  performed  it.  I  should  feel  a  stronger  inducement 
to  visit  you,  if  you  had  a  companion.  Why  do  you  so 
long  delay  an  attention  to  this  subject?  May  the  Lord 
direct  you  with  respect  to  this  important  concern." 

''Bee.  12,  1821. 

My  dear  Son, 

"  I  have  had  much  anxiety  on  your  account  for  many 
weeks,  and  I  can  truly  say,  that  I  am  '  afflicted  in  your 
afflictions.'  Submission  to  the  holy  will  of  God  is  my 
only  relief.  When  Messrs.  P.  and  W.  returned,  they  ex- 
cited some  hope  in  your  case,  as  you  was  then  considered 
1o  be  at  least  more  comfortable ;  but  I  have  been  milch 
-acquainted  with  lung  complaints,  and  know  them  to  be 
very  hazardous,  especially  in  public  speakers.  They 
assured  me  that  you  had  every  possible  attention  from  the 
family  of  Esq.  L.,  and  from  other  friends.  My  son,  you 
must  be  very  careful  of  youtself  Refrain  from  using  your 
lungs,  as  much  as  possible,  and  from  the  least  exposure  to 
take  cold  ;  and  yet  do  not  unnecessarily  lose  the  benefit 
of  good  air.  Use  exercise,  when  the  weather  is  unfavora- 
ble, in  your  room,  and  be  very  attentive  to  your  diet. 
Your  life  and  health  are  of  importance  to  yourself,  and 
your  church  and  people.  All  proper  means  for  your  re- 
covery ougiit  to  be  used ;  and  then  the  event  cheerfullv 
left  with  God.  I  know  his  counsel  with  respect  to  yo 
ivill  stand;   and  you  afforded  me  much  comfort  who 


208 


AfEMOIR  OF 


you  intimated  in  your  last  letter,  your  confidence  in  the 
wisdom  and  rectitude  of  God's  government.  I  pray  daihv 
that  the  promised  grace  of  the  dear  Redeemer  may  be 
sufficient  for  you.  As  you  are  now  called  off  from  minis- 
terial labor,  devote  what  strength  you  have  to  the  care  of 
your  own  soul.  E.xamine  carefully  the  evidences  of  your 
sanctification  and  adoption.  '  My  son,  despise  not  the 
chastening  of  the  Lord,  nor  faint,  now  you  are  rebuked  of 
him.'  Will  it  not  be  some  consolation  to  you,  to  be  as- 
sured that  you  are  at  this  time,  a  subject  of  many  prayers  ? 
My  heart  has  been  deeply  affected  to  notice  the  interest 
which  the  people  of  this  town  take  in  your  affliction. 
Hundreds  of  prayers  have  been  offered  up  to  God  for  you, 
in  the  space  of  a  few  weeks.  The  neighboring  ministers 
are  praying  for  you  and  your  dear  people. 

"  If  the  season  of  the  year  were  favorable,  I  should  go 
immediately  to  you  ;  but  I  am  too  far  advanced  to  en- 
counter the  hardships  of  a  winter's  journey.  I  have  had 
many  thoughts  of  sending  S.,  who  is  now  engaged  in  a 
school,  in  case  your  health  should  finally  fail.  Your  sister 
H.  informs  me,  by  letter,  that  she  has  written  to  you,  as  a 
small  token  of  her  solicitude  for  you.  You  are  our  first- 
born, and  had  our  first  affections  as  parents ;  and  you 
must  naturally  conclude,  that  our  hearts  are  tried,  when 
we  think  of  you,  as  being  sick,  at  such  a  distance  from  us. 
But  submission  is  our  duty  and  our  privilege. 

"  The  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  in  this  town,  has  been 
powerful,  and  still  continues.  More  than  a  hundred  are 
rejoicing  in  hope — twenty-two  have  been  examined.  We 
shall  probably  receive  into  the  church  more  than  forty,  at 
the  next  communion." 

"^^n7  22, 1822. 

"  My  dear  Dauglrter, 

"  Your  very  welcome  letter  of  the  11th  inst.  reached 
us  on  Saturday.    We  perused  it  with  eagerness,  but  with 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


209 


a  mixture  of  feelings,  occasioned  by  the  expressions  of 
doubt,  as  to  your  accompanying  your  husband  to  the 
paternal  mansion,  when  he  shall  make  his  tour  to  New 
York.  Our  expectations  have  been  greatly  raised,  with 
the  hope  of  seeing  you  this  spring,  and  we  shall  feel  a 
painful  disappointment  if  you  should  not  come.  I  have 
thought  the  journey  would  contribute  much  to  your  health, 
and  it  would  be  pleasant  for  you  to  attend  some  of  our 
meetings,  and  especially  to  go  with  us  to  the  table  of  our 
Lord,  on  the  second  Sabbath  in  May.  But,  if  Infinite 
Wisdom  should  order  otherwise,  I  desire  to  submit,  Of 
this,  however,  he  assured,  we  all,  from  the  oldest  to  the 
youngest,  ardently  desire  to  see  you.  I  hope  the  expecta- 
tion of  seeing  your  brother  Alvan  at  Ogden  will  not 
detain  you  ;  because  you  may  see  him  here,  or  he  may  not 
reach  there  until  after  your  return. 

"  I  rejoice,  my  dear  child,  that  your  house  is  a  house 
of  prayer,  and  that  it  is  opened  frequently  for  religious 
meetings.  You  suggested  a  thought  which  was  cheering 
to  my  soul,  respecting  the  time  of  our  devotions,  and  the 
sameness  of  our  petitions  to  our  common  Parent  in  heaven. 
It  seems  you  are  without  a  minister,  and  I  pray  the  Lord 
to  Bend  you  a  faithful,  able,  and  discreet,  spiritual  guide. 
I  feel  deeply  interested  in  all  the  movements  of  the  church 
and  people  in  Ogden.  I  hope  you  will  all  look  to  God 
for  direction,  in  the  important  affair  of  obtaining  a 
pastor. 

"  The  attention  of  the  people  in  this  town  to  the  in- 
teresting subject  of  religion  still  continues.  It  is  wonder- 
ful to  see  how  they  flock  to  meetings.  All  the  families  in 
town  are  again  to  be  visited  on  Thursday  of  this  week. 
Forty-two  of  the  members  of  the  church  have  been  de- 
signated for  this  important  work,  and  prayer  will  be 
offered  up  in  every  house.  We  hope  for  a  blessing.  We 
have  received  sixty-three  into  the  church,  and  fourteen 
18  * 


210 


MEMOIR  OF 


more  have  been  propounded.  Several  of  this  number  are 
younger  than  L.  or  even  W.  But  your  dear  and  only 
sister,  and  all  the  other  children,  remain  in  a  state  of 
security.  My  hopes,  with  respect  to  them,  have  been 
raised,  and  then  they  have  been  blasted.  This  has  been 
a  very  great  trial  to  me  ;  but  God  is  just.  I  have  given 
my  children  to  him.  None  of  Mr.  C.'s  family  have  shared 
in  this  work." 

"  July  19,  1622. 

"  My  dear  Daughter, 

"  The  return  of  Mr.  C.  occasioned  much  joy  in  our 
family  circle,  as  he  brought  a  rich  freight  of  letters  from 
those  who  are  very  dear  to  us.  You  know  with  what  deep 
interest  I  peruse  letters  from  my  children.,  I  am  led  to 
infer  from  your  communications  that  E.  coritributes  to 
your  happiness.  It  was  for  your  sake  principally,  that  I 
consented  to  so  wide  a  separation  from  a  child,  at  his 
forming  period  of  life.  His  departure  occasioned  me 
many  a  pang,  which  cannot  be  described ;  but  I  then 
hoped,  and  still  hope,  that  you  and  your  companion  will 
study  to  be  useful  to  him.  Your  letters  to  S.  reached 
this  place  yesterday;  and  I  desire  to  bless  God,  that  you 
are  all  yet  favored  with  health.  I  opened  S.'s  letter,  and 
saw  tlie  hand-writing  of  my  two  children. 

"Your  brother  Alvan  arrived  on  Saturday,  the  6th 
inst.,  with  his  fellow-traveller.  I  rode,  on  Wednesday,  to 
Albany  to  meet  him  ;  but,  as  he  had  gone  to  the  springs, 
I  was  obliged  to  return  without  gaining  any  information 
respecting  him.  In  two  or  three  hours  after  I  left  Albany 
he  came  into  the  city  from  Troy.  He  has  ihore  bodily 
strength  than  I  had  expected;  but  his  lungs  are  very  weak, 
and  his  cough  is  wearing.  No  one  thing  seems  to  lay 
such  a  tax  upon  his  .strength  as  conversation,  and  nothing 
will  sooner  exhaust  him.    He  can  ride  thirty  miles  in  a 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


211 


day,  witliout  special  inconvenience,  and  has  been  to 
Becket,  Great  Barrington,  Pittsfield,  and  Lanesborough, 
since  his  return.  He  is  able  to  attend  public  worship, 
and  has  made  a  short  prayer  in  the  meeting-house.  How 
God  will  order  in  his  case,  we  know  not.  He  will  con- 
tinue to  ride,  as  the  most  salutary  course  he  can  take,  and 
the  event  must  be  left  wholly  with  our  heavenly  Father. 
I  regretted  very  much  that  he  did  not  make  Ogden  in  his 
way ;  but  he  was  so  feeble  at  that  time,  that  he  did  not 
think  it  best,  after  he  had  reached  A.,  and  especially  as 
he  was  in  company  with  an  invalid.  I  hope  you  will 
excuse  him.  We  are  all  in  comfortable  health.  S.  has 
been  at  home,  the  present  week,  and  enjoys  better  health. 
I  think  he  will  visit  Ogden,  when  he  has  closed  his 
school. 

"Our  house  has  been  very  much  thronged  with  com- 
pany since  you  left  us.  We  have  scarcely  been  alone  a 
single  day." 

"  Oct.  22,  ]  822. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  I  was  detained  from  the  association  at  Lanes- 
borough  ;  but  your  letter  by  Mr.  G.  reached  me,  last  week, 
and  afforded  some  satisfaction  to  my  mind.  You  have 
now  arrived  at  an  interesting  crisis  in  your  life,  and  have 
begun  to  form  a  character  in  a  literary  institution,  as  a 
scholar  and  as  a  man.  Your  success  depends  very  much 
on  your  own  e.xertion  and  prudence.  If  you  should  fail 
of  making  close  application  to  your  studies,  you  will  soon 
find  yourself  in  the  poorest  half  of  the  class,  and  your 
mind  will  feel  a  discouragement  from  which  it  will  not 
easily  be  recovered.  Improve  the  study-hours  with  all 
the  diligence  with  which  the  thorough  farmer  makes  hay 
when  the  sun  shines.  Nor  will  it  answer  your  turn  to 
squander  the  other  part  of  your  time.    Make  yourself  a 


212 


MEMOIR  OF 


complete  master  of  all  your  studies,  and  let  it  appear  in 
the  recitation-room,  and  before  your  tutor,  that  you  have 
been  faithful  to  yourself  The  diligent  and  persevering 
scholar  is  like  a  forehanded  man,  who  is  not  embarrassed 
and  mortified  with  debts.  You  must  never  suffer  yourself 
to  be  idle,  nor  to  be  seen  walking  the  streets,  when  it  is 
not  necessary.  Give  yourself  to  reading,  and  be  very 
careful  that  you  do  not  form  a  taste  for  frivolous  books, 
and  unprofitable  conversation.  Your  turn  of  mind  will 
soon  be  estimated  by  your  class,  and  by  the  faculty  of 
college.  My  son,  an  amiable  character,  such  as  I  desire 
you  to  form,  is  of  great  worth. 

"  I  find  you  left  home  without  taking  a  Bible.  This 
has  occasioned  me  many  sorrowful  reflections.  T  shall 
send  you  one  the  first  opportunity,  not  to  be  laid  aside  as 
useless,  but  to  be  perused  every  day. 

"  And  now,  my  dear  son,  I  once  more  commit  you  into 
the  hands  of  God,  praying  that  he  may  open  your  heart  to 
receive  the  truth,  and  dispose  you  to  live  to  his  glory. 
Your  mother,  and  A.,  and  little  brothers  unite  with  me  in 
much  love  to  you." 

''Jan.  12,  1823. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  I  wrote  you  a  letter,  several  weeks  ago,  in  which 
I  acknowledged  one  favor  of  the  same  kind  from  you. 
Since  then,  I  have  impatiently  waited  to  hear  again  ;  but 
have  received  no  intelligence  from  you,  excepting  by  way 
of  O.  I  conclude  my  letter  ,  failed,  or  you  would  have 
more  promptly  noticed  it.  We  have  all  felt  extremely 
anxious  for  you,  in  your  new  situation,  particularly  as 
your  expectations  and  hopes,  with  respect  to  the  academy, 
have  not  been  answered.  But,  that  holy  God,  who  gave 
you  existence,  and  who  has  hitherto  made  you  a  favored 
child  of  his  providence,  has  some  important  purpose 


ALVAN  HTDE. 


213 


to  answer,  by  placing  you  over  the  institution  at  G., 
in  its  depressed  state.  Often  have  I  reflected  on  our 
ride  to  Stockbridge,  when  we  were  deliberating  on 
the  subject  of  your  removal.  We  were  both  at  a 
stand,  and  hardly  knew  what  decision  to  form.  Your 
mind  preponderated  to  the  side  of  an  exchange  of  situa- 
tions. I  consented  with  trembling,  and  committed  you 
to  Providence.  Nor  am  I  yet  discouraged.  Tiie  Lord 
will  take  care  of  you,  and  I  hope  is  preparing  you  for 
eminent  usefulness".  You  will  be  unwise  to  manifest  or 
indulge  aay  depression  of  "spirits.  Be  no  less  assiduous 
to  acquit  yourself,  as  an  able  and  faithful  instructor,  than 
if  the  school  was  in  a  very  flourishing  state.  1  have 
lately  been  reading  the  Life  of  the  justly  celebrated  Dr. 
Scott,  who  rhade  his  entrance  on  the  stage  of  life,  under 
every  embarrassment.  For  the  reputation  he  finally  ac- 
quired, he  was  indebted  to  the  obstacles  which  Providence 
cast  in  his  way.  These  called  forth  the  energies  of  his 
mind,  and  were  the  means  of  forming  his  habits,  teaching 
him  the  necessity  of  patience,  diligence,  and  persever- 
ance, and  guiding  him  in  the  way  to  eminent  usefulness, 
and  even  to  that  greatness  of  character,  which,  perhaps, 
has  been  surpassed  by  no  one  of  the  present  age..  H^d 
he  been  dandled  in  the  lap  of  ease  and  affluence,  and 
introduced  hastily  and  prosperously  into  public  life,  he 
would  have  appeared  a  very  different  man.  You  see,  at 
once,  why  I  am  induced  to  make  these  remarks.  They 
are  designed  to  keep  you  from  being  discouraged,  and  to 
influence  you  to  watch  the  footsteps  of  Providence.  My 
daily  prayer  is,  that  you  may  be  induced  to  '  seek  first 
the  kingdom  of  God  and  his  righteousness,'  and  then  all 
necessary  worldly  prosperity  will  be  imparted  to  you. 

"  My  dear  son,  remember  your  Creator  in  the  days 
of  your  youth  ;  and  that  the  Lord  may  bless  you,  is  the 
prayer  of  your  ever  aflfectionate  father." 


214 


MEMOIR  OF 


«  Feb.  9,  1823. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"I  have  just  returned  from  the  public  services  of  the 
sanctuary,  where  I  have  been  attempting  to  present  to 
the  people  the  evidences  that  Christ's  kingdom  will  in- 
crease on  the  earth,  and  will  forever  increase  in  the 
future  world.  From  which  consideration  I  have  been 
urging,  with  all  the  powers  of  my  feeble  eloquence,  the 
importance  of  a  personal  union  to  Christ.  The  subject 
is  worthy  of  your  serious  attention.  Who  can  sufficiently 
prize  the  privilege  of  being  a  Christian  1  Who  can 
adequately  describe  the  consequences  of  living  without 
God,  and  without  hope  in  the  world  ?  My  son,  hearken 
once  more  to  the  entreaties  of  a  father,  and  be  wise,  by 
exchanging  the  perishable  objects  of  this  world  for  a 
portion  in  Christ.  You  have  already  long  delayed  ;  but 
it  is  not  yet  too  late  to  choose  the  good  part,  which  will 
never  be  taken  away  froni  you. 

"  It  is  now  a  most  interesting  time  to  the  friends  of 
religion  in  many  towns  in  the  county  of  Hampshire,  par- 
ticularly in  all  the  Hamptons,  Hadley,  and  Norwich. 
The  Lord  .is  now,  also,  pouring  out  his  Spirit  upon 
Boston,  and  the  appearances  are  very  encouraging.  This 
event  will,  probably,  produce  great  convulsions  among 
those  churches  and  ministers  who  have  embraced  the 
Unitarian  system.  Several  people,  in  these  congrega- 
tions, have  left  them  for  the  sake  of  hearing  the  truth,  as 
it  is  in  Jesus.  I  never  wished  to  visit  our  capital  so 
much  as  I  do  now  ;  but  the  Lord  can  carry  on  his  work 
there,  and  in  all  other  places,  without  my  aid." 

"  On  Wednesday  last,  I  assisted  in  the  ordination  of 
Mr.  D.  C,  at  B.,  and  presided  on  the  occasion.  The 
union  of  the  church  and  people  is  great,  and  the  prospects 
pleasing.  This  occasion  brought  me  to  a  particular  ac- 
quaintance with  Mr,  S.,  at  whose  bouse  I  lodged.  I 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


215 


found  him  and  his  companion  agreeable,  and  hopefully 
pious.  They  inquired  very  particularly  after  Mr.  C. 
and  family,  at  O.  I  am  called,  the  present  week,  to 
assist  in  the  dismission  of  Mr.  W.,  and  n  the  installation 
of  Mr.  B.,  at  G.  B.  Mr.  W.'s  health  is  very  feeble,  and 
probably  he  will  never  preach  again. 

"  From  Capt.  B.  and  Capt.  F.,  I  have  learnt  some  par- 
ticulars respecting  your  school.  Their  account  is  very 
gratifying  to  the  heart  of  a  parent.  I  hope  you  will  con- 
tinue to  be  successful,  in  the  very  important  station 
which  you  are  called  to  fill.  From  a  clause  in  your 
sister's  letter,  I  fear  you  may  not  exercise  enough,  espe- 
cially in  the  morning.  I  sometimes  wonder  you  do  not 
write  oftener  to  your  parents,  as  you  well  know  how 
highly  we  estimate  letters  from  our  children.  Your 
mother's  health  is  not  very  good,  but  she  has  attended 
public  worship  this  day.  Your  brother  Alvan  remains 
feeble  ;  yet  I  think  he  rather  gains  strength.  I  have 
lately  addressed  a  letter  to  his  church  and  people,  who, 
as  might  be  expected,  begin  to  be  discoufag-ed.  His 
trials  are  very  great,  and  we  must  share  in  them.  The 
Lord  orders  wisely. 

"  Monday  morning.  I  hope  you  will  study  to  admin- 
ister comfort  to  Harriet,  and  to  be  useful  to  your  brother 
E.,  who  is  in  the  forming  period  of  life.  Encourage  him 
to  improve  his  mind,  by  reading,  and  watch  over  his 
morals.  Exercise  him,  when  you  have  opportunity,  in 
parsing  his  native  language,  and  assist  him  in  acquiring  a 
knowledge  of  figures. 

"  Wishing  you  the  divine  blessing,  whicji  is  better  than 
life,  I  subscribe  myseff  your  affectionate  father." 

"  Feb.  24, 1823. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  If  you  knew  the  feelings  of  a  parent's  heart,  your 
communications  to  us  would  certainly  be  more  frequent. 


216 


MEMOIR  OF 


You  suffered  so  long  a  space  to  intervene  between  the 
packet  forwarded  to  you  by  B.,  and  the  letter  addressed  to 
your  sister  L.,  tiiat  we  began  to  clierisli  unpleasant  feel- 
ings. We  feared  that  you  might  either  be  unwell,  or 
be  laboring  under  a  depression  of  spirits,  which  rendered 
you  incapable  of  making  any  effort.  Your  letter  to  her, 
of  course,  afforded  us  much  pleasure.  It  was  very  pleas- 
ant to  notice  the  expressions  of  tender  affection  for  that 
sister.  I  also  indulge  the  hope,  that  you  are  better 
satisfied  with  your  school  than  you  was  at  the  date  of  your 
last  letter.  But  in  no  part  of  your  letter  did  I  feel  so 
deep  an  interest,  as  in  that  which  relates  to  the  hopeful 
appearance  of  a  revival  of  religion  in  G.  I  have 
mourned,  that  you  should  be  located  among  a  people 
where  the  spirit  of  religion  was  hardly  visible,  and  where 
you  would  feel  so  little  moral  instruct^on.  My  heart 
leaped  with  joy  when  you  made  mention  of  meetings 
every  day,  which  were  crowded,  attentive,  and  solemn; 
because  the  intelligence  excited  a  strong  hope,  at  once, 
that  the  Lord  was  there,  by  his  Holy  Spirit.  If  a  con- 
siderable number  of  that  people,  especially  of  the  youth, 
should  be  renewed  in  their  minds,  and  become  interested 
in  the  great  subject  of  religion,  the  aspect  of  things  will 
be  very  different  indeed.  There  is  nothing  wbich  can 
render  a  people  so  happy,  as  to  have  them  brought  under 
the  influence  of  the  religion  of  the  gospel.  My  dear  son, 
I  have  been  led  to  reflect  on  the  mercy  of  God,  in  com- 
mencing this  work  where  you  are  stationed.  He  presents 
to  you  another  precious  opportunity  to  secure  the  good 
part  which  will  never  be  taken  away  from  you.  There  is 
no  describing  the  importance  of  a  season  of  refreshing 
from  the  presence  of  the  Lord.  My  fervent  prayer  is, 
that  you  may  not  fail  of  the  great  salvation.  If  there  is 
to  be  a  harvest  of  souls  in  that  place,  I  entreat  you  not  to 
stand  at  a  distance  from  the  work,  and  to  consider  yourself 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


217 


an  uninterested  spectator.  Be  attentive  to  tlie  meetings — 
hear  the  instructions  communicated,  with  self-application. 
Look  seriously  and  faithfully  into  your  own  heart.  Let  it 
not  be  said,  that  the  Saviour  has  come  to  Greenville,  by 
his  Spirit,  and  the  preceptor  of  the  academy  is  unmoved, 
and  unites  not  with  others  in  bidding  him  welcome.  You 
see  a  father's  feelingis  on  this  subject.  I  desire  you  to 
write  immediately,  on  receiving  this,  and  let  me  know  the 
state  of  things ;  and  may  the  Lord  furnish  you  with 
tidings,  which  may  cheer  our  hearts." 

"March  18,  1823. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  I  duly  received,  and  read  with  uncommon  interest, 
your  letter  of  the  9th  inst.,  as  it  gave  me  some  account  of 
a  hopeful  appearance  of  a  revival  of  religion  in  college. 
I  ardently  hope  and  pray,  that  this  token  of  mercy  to  that 
institution  will  not  be  as  the  morning  cloud,  which  soon 
passeth  away,  without  watering  the  thirsty  ground,  but  as 
a  cloud  big  with  the  rain  of  heaven,  and  which  may 
produce  a  *  season  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the 
Lord,'  happy  in  its  fruits,  and  long  to  be  remembered. 
On  reading  your  account,  my  anxious  thoughts,  as  you 
will  suppose,  were  immediately  turned  to  your  case,  know- 
ing that  you  had  enjoyed  great  privileges,  and  had  ever 
appeared  criminally  indifferent  to  them.  I  said  to  myself, 
O  that  I  might  have  that  joy  in  my  son,  which  president  D. 
has  had  enkindled  in  his  breast,  by  the  happy  tidings  from 
his  son  !  Of  such  a  favor  I  know  I  am  wholly  unworthy ; 
but  I  am  constrained  to  plead  for  it,  looking  to  the  merits 
of  Him  who  died  for  the  chief  of  sinners.  If  the  Lord 
Jesus  has  come  into  the  college,  by  the  awakening  and 
converting  influences  -of  the  Holy  Spirit,  I  hope  none  of 
the  students  will  practically  desire  hin^  to  depart,  as  many 
did  when  he  was  on  the  earth,  lest  they  refuse  an  oppor- 
19 


218 


MEMOIR  OF 


tunity  of  receiving  his  blessing,  which  they  may  never 
again  enjoy.  My  dear  son,  I  desire  you  to  regard  this 
season  as  being  emphatically  a  day  of  salvation.  Many 
prayers  have  of  late  been  offered  up  for  the  colleges — and 
many  for  Williams  college ;  and  it  is  animating,  that  there 
are  any  indications  of  so  early  an  answer  to  them.  I  call 
upon  you,  with  all  the  tenderness  of  a  parent,  to  think  of 
the  worth  of  your  soul,  the  multitude  of  sins  which  you 
have  committed  against  God,  the  vastness  of  eternity,  the 
awful  hazard  of  living  in  a  state  of  impenitence,  and  the 
precious  opportunity  you  have  to  escape  the  deserved 
wrath  of  the  Almighty.  Do  the  students  meet  for  prayer? 
Indulge  not  a  thought  of  being  absent,  if  your  attendance 
is  consistent  with  their  feelings  and  regulations.  You 
have  the  Bible  in  your  room.  Do  not  incur  the  guilt 
of  neglecting  it,  at  such  a  time  as  this.  Read  it  with 
attention,  and  with  reference  to  your  own  case.  You 
have  a  closet,  which  your  Saviour  calls  upon  you  to 
remember.  But  why,  my  son,  need  I  urge  upon  you 
those  things,  the  performance  of  which,  in  a  right  man- 
ner, would  secure  your  own  eternal  interest? 

"  Present  my  affectionate  regards  to  the  president,  and 
inform  him  that  we  all  feel  a  deep  interest  in  the  tidings 
we  hear  from  college,  and,  I  trust,  the  saints  in  this  and 
other  places,  are  praying  for  a  rich  harvest  of- souls,  from 
among  the  youth  committed  to  his  care. 

"  I  rejoice  to  learn  that  you  find  in  B.  a  safe  and 
pleasing  room-mate.  He  has  been  called  to  drink  deep 
of  the  cup  of  sorrow.  Mr.  H.,  who  came  from  Williams- 
town  here,  informs  me  that  he  saw  his  father  just  before 
his  death,  and  that  he  was  a  valuable  man,  and  an  affec- 
tionate parent.  May  God  sanctify  this  heavy  stroke,  and 
sore  bereavement,  to  his  son,  to  whom  I  wish  to  be 
remembered.  I  hope  the  room  you  occupy  together  will 
be  a  Bethel,  and  be  distinguished  for  good  order,  close 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


219 


application  to  study,  and  for  proficiency  in  classical 
pursuits. 

"  Write  every  week,  and  let  me  know  all  your  wants, 
and  what  the  Lord  is  doing  in  college." 

"May  5,  1823. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  I  never  parted  with  you,  when  I  felt  more  solici- 
tude for  your  happiness  and  welfare,  than  I  did  on  Friday 
morning  last,  at  Greenville.  I  had  been  particularly  con- 
versant with  you  a  number  of  days.  I  had  seen  where 
you  had  been  residing,  and  where  you  expected  to  reside 
during  the  summer.  I  had  seen  the  displays  of  God's 
grace  among  the  people,  and  the  lively  interest  which 
many  of  them  appeared  to  take  in  the  all-important  subject 
of  religion.  I  had  seen  you  placed  at  the  head  of  an 
academy,  which  had  not  shared  in  the  influences  of  the 
Spirit — and  a  review  of  the  whole,  excited  emotions  in  my 
heart  not  easily  described.  When  you  left  my  carriage, 
and  gave  me  the  parting  hand,  I  drew  many  a  sigh  for 
you.  I  know  you  must  feel  the  responsibility  of  your 
station,  and  that  the  eyes  of  many  are  upon  you,  at  this 
time,  longing  and  waiting  for  you  to  step  forward  in  the 
cause  of  religion,  that  your  pupils  may  be  blessed.  My 
dear  son,  you  cannot  be  without  your  reflections,  nor 
without  anxiety.  Never  was  you  before  brought  into 
such  a  situation,  where  it  seems  every  thing  conspires  to 
induce  you  to  embark  in  the  cause  of  religion.  I  entreat 
you,  as  your  earthly  benefactor,  and  as  your  father,  who 
tenderly  loves  you,  not  to  suffer  this  opportunity  to  pass 
unimproved.  Let  not  your  heart  make  one  excuse;  for 
there  is  none.  You  have  only  to  decide  whether  you  will 
have  your  portion  in  this  world,  or  in  that  kingdom  which 
is  to  endure  forever.  That  you  never  can  be  saved  with- 
out faith  in  Christ,  I  know  you  will  readily  admit.  Then, 


220 


MEMOIR  OF 


my  son,  believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  Count  all 
things  but  loss,  for  the  excellency  of  the  knowledge  of 
your  Redeemer.  Say  not  in  your  heart,  that  you  design 
to  do  this  at  some  future  period.  Do  it  now,  that  in  your 
next  letter  you  may  announce  the  happy  tidings  to  me. 
You  have  the  prayers  of  many  for  you,  and  I  hope  and 
trust  they  will  not  be  unavailing  before  that  God  who 
knows  your  case  perfectly.  Before  this  lime,  I  hope  that 
your  heavenly  Father,  who  seeth  in  secret,  has  seen  you 
on  the  bended  knees  of  your  soul,  pleading  for  mercy, 
and  that  you  may  share  with  others  in  the  blessed  in- 
fluences of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

"  May  G.  Having  progressed  in  my  letter  thus  far,  it 
was  mentioned  to  me,  that  the  stage  had  passed.  This 
stopped  my  pen,  which  I  now  resume.  After  parting  with 
you,  I  was  soon  brought  to  Mr.  L.'s,  at  whose  house  I  was 
detained  two  hours,  waiting  his  return  from  a  walk.  With 
him  my  opportunity  was  very  short.  It  was  twelve  when  I 
was  on  the  river ;  at  four  o'clock  I  was  in  Chatham,  and 
before  the  family  had  returned  from  the  Friday  evening 
prayer-meeting,  I  was  safely  seated  in  my  own  house, 
having  rode  fifty-three  miles.  This  effort  was  made  with- 
out any  design,  and  without  any  special  fatigue  on  the 
part  of  my  horse  or  myself  The  goodness  of  God  to  me 
and  my  family  are  very  noticeable,  and  O  that  I  might 
have  a  heart  to  praise  him. 

"  Having  been  to  G.,  I  can  look  at  the  family  in  which 
you  reside,  the  room  which  you  occupy,  the  academy 
where  you  instruct  your  pupils,  and  the  house  of  prayer 
which  you  frequent." 

''July  1,  1823. 

"  My  dear  Daughter, 

"Your  very  welcome  favor  of  the  24th  ult.,  we  re- 
ceived on  Friday  last.    It  was  perused  and  re-perused 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


221 


witli  much  pleasure.  I  desire, to  cherish  a  grateful  sense 
of  the  goodness  of  that  God,  whose  you  are,  and  to  whom 
we  have  dedicated  you,  that  he  has  directed  your  steps  to 
a  place  so  pleasant  to  your  feelings,  and  at  the  same  time 
so  favorable  both  to  the  cultivation  of  your  mind,  and  to 
the  attainment  of  that  knowledge  of  the  Saviour,  which 
infinitely  concerns  you.  I  hope  and  fervently  pray,  that 
the  faithful  instructions  of  Mr.  II.  will  not  be  neglected 
by  you.  The  object  in  sending  you  abroad  was,  that 
being  liberated  from  all  domestic  cares,  you  might  have 
uninterrupted  time  for  the  acquisition  of  knowledge,  and 
be  enabled  to  lay  a  foundation  to  be  something  more  than 
a  cypher  in  the  world.  Another  season  so  favorable 
for  the  attainment  of  this  object,  you  probably  will  not 
again  enjoy.  The  period  of  youth  is  with  you  rapidly 
passing  away.  I  trust  you  will  consider  your  time  to  be 
very  precious,  and  that  your  application  to  your  studies 
will  be  such  as  will  be  honorable  to  yourself  and  to  your 
parents.  Your  teacher  has,  by  this  time,  formed  his 
opinion  of  what  you  are  capable  of  acquiring,  and  of  your 
disposition  to  be  faithful  or  unfaithful  to  yourself  My 
dear  daughter,  be  not  willing  for  a  moment  to  be  consid- 
ered a  superficial  scholar,  nor  one  that  is  deaf  to  spiritual 
instruction.  In  either  case  you  will  bring  reproach  upon 
yourself,  and  upon  those  who  have  attempted  to  guide 
you  in  your  tender  years.  If,  in  your  absence,  you  should 
choose  Christ  for  a  portion,  you  will  return  to  us  doubly 
endeared,  and  by  one  bond  of  union  never  to  be  dissolved. 
Are  you  willing  to  deny  us  this  happiness  ?  Are  you 
willing  to  deny  yourself  this  happiness  1 " 

"  My  15,  1823. 

"  My  dear  Lucy, 

"  Knowing,  that  in  one  respect,  at  lea.st,  you  are  like 
your  father,  fond  of  receiving  letters  from  friends,  and 
19  * 


222 


MEMOIR  OF 


having  myself  a  few  moments  leisure,  I  cheerfully  devote 
them  to  you,  that  I  may  bring  your  thoughts  to  your  native 
place,  and  to  the  paternal  mansion.    I  begin  by  way  of 
reproof,  and  say  that  your  letters  are  quite  too  short.  We 
hardly  get  interested  in  reading  them,  before  we  find  the 
closing  sentence.    We  wish  to  be  acquainted  with  all  your 
joys  and  sorrows.    You  state  that  your  advantages  are 
great,  and  that  you  are  much  pleased  with  your  instruc- 
tor.   What  progress  are  you  making  in  your  studies?  I 
have  had  some  fears,  lest  your  long  inattention  to  study 
should  prove  somewhat  embarrassing  to  you.    But  I  hope 
you  will  acquire  the  habit  of  close  application,  and  close 
thinking.    Before  this,  I  conclude  you  have  made  several 
efforts  at  composition,  and  have  read  before  the  school.  I 
hope  you  are  never  hasty  in  these  productions,  because 
they  do  more  to  develope  the  mind,  and  at  the  same  time 
to  strengthen  and  expand  it,  than  almost  any  other  exer- 
cise.   You  may  commit  to  memory  without  much  expense 
of  thought;  but  when  you  sit  down  to  write  composition, 
your  mind  must  be  collected,  and  all  its  powets  brought 
into  action.    If  you  succeed  well  in  one  attempt  to  put 
your  thoughts  on  paper,  though  it  cost  you  much  labor 
and  anxiety,  your  mind  will  begin  to  acquire  confidence  in 
itself.    This  is  an  important  point  to  gain.    Many  have 
not  patience  to  make  such  an  effort,  and  of  course,  never 
acquire  the  art  of  composing.    Fail  not  of  profiting  by 
this  hint. 

"  It  affords  me  much  joy  to  learn  that  Mr.  H.  is  atten- 
tive to  the  spiritual  interests  of  his  pupils.  You  intimate 
that  his  addresses  on  this  all-important  subject  are  very 
solemn  and  impressive.  Then,  my  child,  you  must  incur 
additional  guilt  to  remain  stupid  and  impenitent.  O  that 
you  might  be  wise,  and  improve  the  present  favorable 
opportunity  to  break  off  from  sin,  and  to  become  one  of 
the  friends  of  Christ.     Why  can  you  delay  1    Let  me 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


223 


know,  in  your  next,  vvliether  you  will  not  hearken  to  the 
entreaties  of  a  father,  and  let  him  receive  you  as  a  spiritual 
child." 

«  March  9,  1824. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  I  was  very  much  gratified  with  the  perusal  of  your 
letter  by  Mr.  P.,  which  was  more  of  an  epistle  than  you 
have  usually  sent,  and  considerably  enriched  with  ideas, 
expressed  in  correct  language.  It  seems  you  begin  to 
have  the  conviction  which  I  have  had  for  many  years, 
that  a  great  part  of  the  enjoyment  of  man,  in  this  life, 
arises  from  the  anticipation  of  good,  and  not  from  present 
possession.  This,  however,  is  less  true  of  those  who  have 
been  renewed  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  than  of  others ;  because 
they  estimate  things  more  as  they  are.  They  expect  less 
from  the  world,  and  see  enough  of  God's  goodness,  in 
every  passing  event,  to  excite  constant  admiration  and 
praise.  The  great  apostle  of  the  gentiles  said,  'I  have 
learnt,  in  whatsoever  situation  I  am,  therewith  to  be  con- 
tent.' I  believe  the  Christian  does  not  want  for  enjoyment 
in  any  situation,  if  he  is  only  satisfied  that  God  has  placed 
him  in  it.  This  blessed  portion,  I  hope,  through  grace, 
you  may  speedily  find,  and  be  maturing  for  eminent  use- 
fulness in  the  world. 

"  The  day  of  prayer  for  the  colleges,  which  was  on  the 
27th  ult.,  was  well  observed  in  this  town.  Many  petitions 
were  offered  for  Williams  college,  and  for  the  members  of 
it  belonging  to  this  town,  that  they  might  share  in  the 
influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  be  the  honored  instru- 
ments of  ushering  upon  the  church  and  world,  the  ap- 
proaching day  of  glory. 

"  I  was  glad  to  learn  that  you  found  your  room-mate, 
fcfr  whom  I  have  an  esteem,  and  to  whom  I  wish  to  be 
remembered.    I  trust  that  from  him  you  will  contract  no 


224 


MEMOIR  OF 


bad  habits,  nor  imbibe  any  corrupt  sentiments.  I  pray 
God  to  make  him  an  instrument  of  the  salvation  of  your 
soul.  Be  thankful  for  any  tokens  of  his  faithfulness  to 
you. 

"  I  hope  you  are  pursuing  your  studies  diligently,  and 
with  increasing  profit.  If  you  love  your  books,  and  feel 
the  importance  of  becoming  a  systematic  and  thorough 
scholar,  you  will  covet  no  leisure  time,  only  what  is 
necessary  to  unbend  the  mind,  and  recruit  the  body.  It 
is  of  great  importance,  in  regard  to  your  health,  to  be 
regular  in  your  hours  of  sleep,  your  exercise,  which  should 
be  as  much  as  possible  in  the  morning,  and  in  your  meals. 
I  trust  there  are  religious  meetfngs  in  college,  which  you 
will  countenance  by  your  attendance.  At  such,  you  will 
have  divine  trtiths  presented  to  your  mind,  which  may 
prove  a  blessing  to  you. 

"  Be  wise  in  the  choice  of  your  associates.  It  is  an 
old  adage,  but  a  true  one,  '  Pares  cum  paribus  facillime 
congregantur.'  " 

«^pn7  16,  1824. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  I  M  ill  lose  no  time,  in  acknowledging  your  very 
welcome  favor  of  the  4th  inst.  So  much  time  had  elapsed 
since  any  communication  had  been  received  from  your 
hand,  that  I  had  began  to  indulge  considerable  anxiety 
lest  your  health  or  spirits  had  entirely  failed.  From  the 
tenor  of  your  letter,  I  perceive  that  you  have  enjoyed  both 
in  an  unusual  degree.  This  has  been  a  favor  for  which  I 
desire  to  bless  God,  on  your  account.  But  God  in  his 
providence  has  carried  you  away  from  the  means  of  grace, 
and  I  greatly  fear  the  consequences.  The  alarming  fact, 
stated  in  your  letter,  that  you  had  not  heard  a  sermon,  for 
the  last  five  months,  has  drawn  many  painful  sighs  frbm 
my  heart.    It  has  led  me  to  reflect  with  seriousness,  on 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


225 


that  solemn  interrogatory  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour — 
'What  shall  it  profit  a  man,  if  he  should  gain  the  whole 
world,  and  lose  his  own  soul  ?'  My  son,  it  seems  you  are 
in  a  heathen  land,  as  respects  the  privileges  of  the  gospel, 
and  at  an  interesting  period  of  your  life.  I  fear,  that  the 
holy  Sabbath,  which  God  has  given  as  a  sign  between 
him  and  his  people,  is  a  weariness  to  you,  because  you 
have  no  opportunity  to  go  into  the  assembly  of  the  saints, 
and  into  the  courts  of  the  Lord.  But,  I  exhort  and  warn 
you  not  to  engage  in  worldly  business,  nor  turn  your 
thoughts  upon  any  thing  which  may  draw  your  heart 
away  from  a  solemn  regard  to  that  divine  institution. 
Look  not  at  your  day-book,  nor  your  ledger.  Indulge  no 
company  in  your  store. 

"  I  have  hitherto  been  disappointed  in  my  expectation 
of  sending  you  the  Christian  Spectator,  which  might  afford 
you  suitable  employment  for  the  Sabbath.  There  was  not 
a  sufficient  number  sent  into  the  county  for  subscribers. 
I  have  now  made  arrangements  to  send  you  the-  work 
soon,  beginning  with  the  present  volume.  The  Recorder 
I  have  sent  regularly,  after  we  have  perused.',  it  in  the 
family  ;  which  may  afford  you  some  instruction  and  en« 
tertainment." 

"  Spencertoien,  June  12, 1824. 

"My  very  dear  Sons, 

"  I  reached  this  place,  last  evening,  a  little  before 
the  setting  of  the  sun,  having  been  protected  by  the  same 
kind  Providence  which  rendered  my  journey  out  so  pros- 
perous. Mr.  S.  is  very  desirous  of  having  me  spend 
the  Sabbath  here,  to  which  I  have  consented. 

"  When  I  parted  with  you,  my  heart  was  full.  I  left 
you  in  a  family  whose  attention  and  kindness  you  will 
doubtless  experience,  but  in  which  you  will  not  enjoy  those 


226 


MEMOIR  OF 


religious  advantages  which  appear  to  me  of  immense  im- 
portance.   I  had  supposed  that  Mrs.  B.  was  one  of  the 
visible  fold  of  the  Redeemer,  and  that  you  would  often 
have  your  attention  invited,  by  her,  to  the  interesting 
things  of  religion.    When  I  found  that  you  was  embo- 
somed in  a  family,  where  there  was  not  even  the  form  of 
religion,  nor  one  to  speak  in  its  favor,  my  heart  was  pained. 
I  have  had  to  endure  uncomfortable  sensations,  ever  since, 
because  you  are  so  much  excluded  from  the  means  of 
salvation.    I  have  dedicated  you  both  to  God,  and  am 
desirous  of  guiding  you  to  peace  and  happiness  in  this  life, 
and  to  a  seat  at  the  right  hand  of  Christ,  in  his  kingdom 
of  glory.    I  spoke  to  you  of  reading  the  word  of  God 
together  daily,  and  of  sanctifying  the  Sabbath,  and  of 
encouraging  religious  meetings,  by  your  personal  atten- 
dance.   One  of  you  is  known  there,  in  a  very  responsible 
station,  as  an  instructor  of  youth,  and  you  are  both  re- 
garded as  the  sons  of  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  from  whom 
it  is  doubtless  expected  you  have  received  the  best  of 
instruction.    The  fruit  of  this  I  desire  you  to  manifest 
at  all  times.    I  have  thought  you  may  spend  a  few  weeks 
together  in  a  manner  both  interesting  and  profitable  to 
you.    Possibly  you  may  never  again  enjoy  such  an  oppor- 
tunity to  fan  the  flame  of  fraternal  affection.    You  are 
brothers  nurtured  by  the  same   parents,  and   I  hope 
you  will  be  brothers  indeed — the  joy  of  those  who  con- 
sider you  as  an  honor  to  them.    Situated  as  you  now  are, 
the  elder  has  the  forming  of  the  younger — as  to  habits  of 
industry,  habits  of  speaking,  of  civility  and  politeness, 
and  of  almost  every  thing  which  makes  up  a  character. 
The  weight  of  obligation,  I  trust,  will  be  duly  appreciated, 
the  opportunity  of  guiding  one  in  such  an  interesting 
relation,  eagerly  embraced.    And  I  fondly  hope,  that  such 
will  be  the  returns  of  gratitude,  and  so  successful  will  bo 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


227 


the  efforts,  that  the  whole  will  be  reviewed  with  pleasure, 
in  a  future  day. 

"  My  sons,  do  you  wish  to  cause  the  heart  of  your 
father  to  rejoice  in  you  1  Then  walk  circumspectly  in 
the  fear  of  the  Lord.  Seek  that  honor  which  is  from 
above.  You  have  not  long  to  mingle  with  the  cares, 
pleasures  and  honors  of  this  world.  Do  your  great  work 
quickly — do  it  in  earnest.  May  God  bless  you,  and  make 
you  blessings  to  each  other  and  to  the  world. 

"  I  write  these  few  lines,  because  I  have  a  few  moments 
of  leisure,  and  because  my  thoughts  are  constantly  going 
back  to  you,  and  particularly  as  I  shall  not  be  at  home, 
in  season  to  mail  a  letter  which  will  reach  you  next  week. 
Deo  volente,  you  shall  hear  from  some  of  us,  the  week 
succeeding. 

"  That  you  may  be  happy  in  each  other,  and  walk 
together  in  the  strait  and  narrow  way,  is  the  desire  and 
fervent  prayer  of  your  affectionate  father." 

•    «  June  17,  1824. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"In  this  mutable  world,  we  are  constantly  passing 
from  one  scene  to  another,  and  we  are  alternately  de- 
pressed and  elevated,  in  our  feelings,  because  we  are  so 
easily  affected  with  the  prospects  which  this  world  pre- 
sents. But  there  is  no  created  good,  however  eagerly  we 
pant  after  it,  and  however  successful  may  be  our  efforts 
in  its  acquisition,  which  can  afford  us  permanent  enjoy- 
ment. We  shall  remain  restless  creatures,  until  we  can 
'  count  all  things  but  loss  for  the  excellency  of  the  know- 
ledge of  Christ  Jesus.'  This  is  man's  best  portion,  yea, 
the  only  portion,  which  can  satisfy  an  immortal  mind.  I 
have  often  recommended  this  to  you,  and  am  compelled 
still  to  do  it,  with  all  the  earnestness  of  which  I  am  ca- 
pable.   The  period  of  youth  is  with  you  rapidly  passing 


228 


MEMOIR  OF 


away,  and  my  heart  is  frequently  pained,  when  I  reflect, 
that  at  this  interesting  period  of  life,  you  are  so  remarkably 
excluded  from  religious  privileges,  and  Christian  society. 
I  greatly  fear  the  consequence,  because  with  respect,  to  the 
salvation  of  our  souls,  as  is  the  fact  in  all  other  things, 
means  and  ends  are  connected.  But  you  have  heard 
much  instruction  in  your  day,  which  may  sometimes  be 
recalled.  You  have  also  the  word  of  God,  which  I 
entreat  you  to  read  daily  and  attentively,  and  with  self- 
application.  You  receive  regularly,  I  trust,  the  Recorder, 
and  Christian  Spectator,  by  the  careful  perusal  of  which, 
you  may  become  acquainted  not  only  with  the  progress  of 
religion,  but  with  the  various  improvements  in  science 
and  literature.  I  wish  you  to  inform  me  whether  you 
have  received  all  the  volume  of  the  Christian  Spectator. 
The  March  number  I  know  you  have  not  received,  as  it 
has  not  yet  reached  me,  having  been  mis-sent.  My  dear 
son,  guard  against  tlie  sentiments,  the  dialect,  and  the 
habits  of  the  people  with  whom  you  are  surrounded.  The 
spirit  of  the  gospel  they  do  not  discern.  Knowing  that 
they  are  not  correct  in  their  views  of  some  of  the  es- 
sentials of  religion,  I  am  induced  to  speak  thus  freely  ; 
and  as  we  insensibly  become  assimilated  to  those  with 
whom  we  are  daily  conversant,  the  caution  I  have  given 
may  be  the  more  necessary  :  you  will  receive  it  as 
coming  from  a  father,  who  is  deeply  interested  in  your 
temporal  and  spiritual  prosperity. 

"  We  all  wish  you  to  write  more  frequently  and  more 
copiously.  Let  us  know  all  your  joys  and  sorrows,  and 
especially  the  state  of  your  mind,  in  relation  to  the  all- 
important  subject  of  religion.  I  am  unwilling  to  believe 
that  your  mind  is  as  destitute  of  all  thoughts  on  this 
subject  as  are  your  letters.  Yet  the  Saviour  has  laid 
down  this  maxim,  '  Out  of  the  abundance  of  the  heart, 
the  mouth  speaketh.' 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


229 


*'Your  mother  has  about  her  usual  health,  though 
afflicted  with  the  rheumatism.  We  have  much  company 
and  many  cares,  and  we  are  both  almost  worn  out.  The 
evening  of  life  has  come  upon  us,  and  our  active  days  are 
drawing  to  a  close. 

"  Wishing  you  the  best  of  heaven's  blessings,  I  sub- 
scribe myself  your  affectionate  father." 

«  July  24,  1824. 

"  My  dear  and  afflicted  Daughter, 

"  I  received  Mr.  C.'s  short  letter,  yesterday,  and  it 
has  afforded  us  no  relief  in  regard  to  your  case.  He  was 
not  so  particular  in  stating  your  complaints,  as  we  wished. 
No  language  can  describe  the  anxiety  we  all  feel,  on 
your  account.  We  know  not  what  is  the  wisest  course 
for  us  to  take,  in  your  behalf;  but  we  are  willing  to  do 
any  thing,  that  may  minister  to  your  comfort,  both  of 
body  and  mind.  We  hope  for  a  letter  to-morrow,  in 
answer  to  mine,  which  must  have  reached  you  two  weeks 
ago,  and  to  be  able  to  decide  on  some  plan,  after  having 
a  more  minute  account  of  the  state  of  your  health.  If 
possible,  it  is  best  for  you  to  come  down,  and  some  of  us 
will  go  to  accompany  you,  and  your  little  daughter. 
Your  mother  is  willing  to  go  ;  and  so  is  Lucy,  and  so  am 
I.  J.  and  E.  are  now  here  on  a  short  vacation.  If 
necessary,  E.  will  go  back,  for  Mr.  C.  to  come  down  with 
you.  We  shall  come  to  some  decision,  as  soon  as  we  can 
know  what  is  best,  and  we  hope  to-morrow.  Remember, 
my  child,  the  all-sufficiency  of  the  Saviour,  and  let  not 
your  heart  be  troubled.  I  commend  you  and  your  dear 
husband  and  little  child,  to  the  mercy  of  God. 

"  Accept  much  love  from  your  parents,  L.  and  your 
brothers,  also  for  Mr.  C.    His  friends  are  well. 

"  From  your  ever  affectionate  father." 
20 


230 


MEMOIR  OF 


"  Oct.  14,  1824. 

"  My  very  dear  Son, 

"  I  hope  God  will  prepare  your  mind  for  the  heavy 
tidings  I  have  to  communicate.  Your  beloved  sister  H. 
expired  yesterday  morning,  at  half  past  eight  o'clock, 
without  a  struggle  or  groan.  She  had  been  rapidly  fail- 
ing for  several  days,  and  we  did  not  think,  on  the  morn- 
ing of  Thursday,  that  she  would  continue  until  the  setting 
of  the  sun  ;  but  she  sunk  into  the  arms  of  death  sooner 
than  we  anticipated.  Her  mind  was  calm,  and  her  hopes 
of  acceptance  were  founded  on  the  Saviour.  It  is  a 
heavy  stroke  indeed  to  us;  but  I  desire  to  fee], that  her 
early  removal  from  this  world,  is  a  righteous  rebuke  ;  and 
I  pray  that  it  may  be  sanctified  to  the  bereaved  parents 
and  afflicted  children.  I  regret  very  much,  that  Mr.  C, 
her  husband,  was  not  here  to  witness  the  scene  of  parting 
with  so  near  and  dear  a  friend  ;  and  now  I  greatly  fear, 
that  the  funeral  will  be  attended  before  his  arrival,  which 
is  to  be  to-morrow,  at  one  o'clock,  P.  M.  Dr.  S.  is  to 
preach  on  the  affecting  occasion." 

"^Vozj.  16,  1824. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  The  providence  of  God,  in  removing  my  three 
oldest  children  from  this  world,  has  greatly  endeared  to 
my  heart  those  who  survive.  My  mind  is  continually 
dwelling  upon  them,  and  cherishing  ardent  hopes  for 
their  prosperity  and  usefulness  in  this  life,  and  their  hap- 
piness, when  time  with  them  shall  be  no  more.  I  would 
not  write  a  single  letter  to  a  child,  without  making  the 
impression  on  his  mind,  that  I  consider  an  interest  in 
Christ,  as  the  pearl  of  great  price,  or  the  '  summum 
bonum '  of  all  possible  attainments.  It  is  an  unspeak- 
able consolation,  when  I  contemplate  the  early  decease 
of  your  brother  and  sister,  whom  you  followed  to  the 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


231 


grave,  that  I  have  ground  to  hope  they  are  now  among 
the  redeemed  of  the  Lord,  uniting  in  songs  of  praise  with 
the  spirits  of  the  just  made  perfect.  And  now  I  desire 
more  than  ever,  that  the  dear  children,  who  are  yet  pris- 
oners of  hope,  may  be  so  wise  as  to  commence  the 
Christian  race. 

"  T  rejoice,  that  you  and  your  brother  W.  are  so  favor- 
ably situated,  not  only  for  the  cultivation  of  your  minds, 
but  to  strengthen  those  ligaments  which  bind  you  to 
«ach  other,  as  members  of  one  family.  You  are  the 
oldest  brother,  and  have  passed,  with  honor  to  yourself, 
the  various  stages  of  a  collegiate  life,  and  may  be  incalcu- 
lably useful  to  him.  I  trust  you  feel  a  d€ep  interest  in 
his  success,  as  a  scholar  and  as  a  man.  I  often  think  of 
the  free  conversations,  which  you  must  have  together, 
when  secluded  from  all  other  society,  especially  after 
closing  your  books  for  the  night.  So  far  as  I  can  learn, 
you  have  made  a  successful  beginning  as  a  tutor,  and  I 
hope  your  mind  will  be  richly  imbued  with  wisdorn  and 
discretion,  that  you  may  meet  every  occasion  without  sub- 
jecting yourself  to  painful  reflections,  or  the  reproach  of 
others. 

"I  was  exceedingly  gratified  with  the  spirit  of  W.'s 
last  letter,  as  well  as  with  its  correctness.  If  it  will  afford 
you  any  pleasure  to  make  your  parents  happy,  and  to 
render  the  paternal  mansion  less  gloomy,  then  you  must 
both  write  very  frequently. 

"  I  forward  to  you  the  Christian  Spectator  for  October. 
Accept  the  warmest  affections  of  your  parents,  your  sister 
and  little  brothers,  and  present  the  same  to  W." 

"JVov.  17,  1824. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  Not  a  word  have  we  heard  from  you,  since  you  last 
left  our  mournful  house.    We  have  impatiently  expected 


232 


MEMOIR  OF 


a  letter  from  you,  and  from  my  dear  son  E.,  for  whom  I 
have  many  anxious  feelings.  The  great  loss  we  have  sus- 
tained in  our  family  circle,  is  every  day  rendered  more 
real,  by  the  recollection  of  former  endearments.  My  faith- 
ful correspondent  has  forever  left  her  pen,  I  trust  for  a 
more  sublime  employment.  God  has  brought  this  heavy 
affliction  upon  us,  and  let  us  quietly  submit.  Your  little 
daughter  is  a  perfect  picture  of  health,  and  is  very  active 
and  something  busy,  and  needs  our  constant  watchful- 
ness." 

"June  6,  1825. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  This  day  completes  thirty-three  years  since  my 
ordination,  which  is  a  length  of  time  much  longer  than 
ministers  usually  are  suffered  to  continue.  Yesterday  I 
noticed  the  event  in  public.  I  desire  to  be  thankful  that 
God  has  been  so  patient  with  me,  when  I  have  so  con- 
stantly fallen  short  of  my  duty.  I  now  can  see,  that  I 
have  enjoyed  many  years  of  prosperity  in  my  family  and 
among  my  people,  while  I  have  been  criminally  insensible 
of  it.  The  last  year  has  been  peculiarly  a  year  of  trials. 
God,  in  his  great  faithfulness,  has  corrected  me.  He  has 
blasted  some  of  my  fondest  hopes.  The  deaths  of  my  two 
children  I  cannot  forget.  Greatly  do  I  feel  the  loss  of  the 
correspondence  I  had  with  my  dear  departed  Harriet. 
Her  letters,  which  I  received  more  frequently  than  from 
any  of  my  absent  children,  were  always  a  cordial  to  me. 
They  were  affectionate,  and  tiiey  breathed  a  spirit  of  piety. 
She  never  wrote  a  letter  to  me,  which  \jas  not  richly 
fraught  with  evidence  of  her  entire  confidence  in  God, 
and  her  reliance  on  the  merits  of  the  Saviour.  I  am  more 
and  more  sensible  of  the  greatness  of  the  breach  in  my 
family.  But  I  desire  to  be  still  under  the  mighty  hand  of 
God,  and  to  be  thankful  that  he  gave  me  such  a  child. 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


233 


and  to  be  kept  from  murmuring  now  he  has  removed  her 
to  a  better  world. 

"  Your  little  daughter  has  had  a  hard  cold,  which  has 
affected  her  more  than  any  one  she  has  had  since  she  has 
been  here ;  but  she  is  now  better.  At  family  prayers,  she 
takes  her  litlie  Bible,  and  imagines  herself  to  bear  a 
part  in  the  e.xercise.  I  think  she  has  not  been  from  home 
since  you  was  here.  I  have  myself  been  riding  with  Lucy 
the  most  of  the  time,  since  you  left  us.  After  returning 
from  New  Haven,  I  accompanied  her  to  Boston,  and  from 
thence  J.  rode  with  her  to  Sandwich,  where  she  has  many 
relatives.  We  are  now  extremely  anxious  to  hear  from 
her,  and  expect  a  letter  to-day,  and  hope  to  witness  their 
safe  return  to-morrow.  She  was  comfortable  when  she 
reached  Sandwich.  May  God  prepare  us  all  for  the 
events  of  his  providence." 

"June  17,  1825. 

My  very  dear  Son, 

"  We  ought  always  to  be  in  that  frame  of  mind,  and 
to  have  that  confidence  in  God,  as  not  to  be  afraid  of  evil 
tidings.  One  of  the  most  painful  tasks  of  my  life  now 
devolves  on  me,  to  announce  to  you  the  death  of  your 
beloved  and  only  sister,  and  our  dear  and  only  daughter, 
whom  we  hoped  would  be  the  solace  of  our  declining  years. 
She  was  called  to  close  her  probationary  state,  and  to  bid 
adieu  to  this  vain  world,  at  Sandwich,  and  in  the  house 
where  her  mother  was  born.  This  is  a  mysterious  provi- 
dence. Though  among  relatives,  she  was  at  a  great  dis- 
tance from  her  parents,  and  from  all  the  members  of  our 
family.  My  heart  is  too  full  to  write  what  I  wish  on  this 
mournful  subject,  yet  I  have  just  closed  a  letter  of  some 
length  to  Mr.  C.  I  rode  with  her  to  Boston,  and  from 
thence  J.  accompanied  her  to  Sandwich.  He  left  her  on 
Wednesday,  the  first  day  of  June,  comfortable  and  cheer- 
20  * 


234 


MEMOIR  OF 


ful,  with  a  hope  that  a  short  residence  there,  would  be 
salutary  to  her  health.  It  was  not  according  to  my 
judgment  to  have  her  left;  but  it  was  her  wish,  and  that 
of  her  friends,  and  I  have  nothing  to  say  by  way  of  com- 
plaint, though  it  would  have  been  a  great  mercy  to  have 
been  with  her,  and  to  have  had  her  at  home.  The  day 
after  J.  left  her,  she  was  seized  with  a  severb  pain  in  her 
bowels,  which  prostrated  her  strength  at  once.  The  mail 
soon  brought  tidings  of  her  situation,  which  fdled  our 
minds  with  anxiety  and  distress,  but  encouraged  us  with 
strong  hopes  of  her  recovery.  A  second  mail  brought  us 
still  more  favorable  tidings  ;  but  on  Wednesday,  when  I 
was  at  Pittsfield,  attending  the  Association,  the  mail 
brought  the  mournful  and  deeply  afflictive  account  of  her 
having  exchanged  time  for  eternity.  She  died  Sabbath 
morning,  at  a  quarter  past  eight  o'clock,  the  12th  instant. 
We  have  been  conversant  with  great  afflictions  ;  but  never 
did  we  before  receive  so  heavy  a  shock.  The  Lord  hath 
done  it,  and  it  is  our  duty  and  privilege  to  submit  and  be 
quiet.  Her  funeral  was  attended  on  Monday  of  this  week 
at  five  o'clock.  Our  house  has  been  thronged  since  with 
sympathizing  friends.  Rev.  Mr.  B.,  of  G.  B.,  is  to  preach 
her  funeral  sermon  next  Sabbath,  in  my  desk.  It  would 
be  pleasant  and  comforting  indeed,  to  have  all  my  surviv- 
ing children  present  to  bear  a  part  in  our  afflictions,  but 
you  are  scattered. 

"Lucy  was  favored  with  her  reason  to  the  last,  and  was 
the  same  patient  child  she  had  ever  been.  She  was 
favored  with  the  instruction  and  prayers  of  Christian 
friends,  in  her  distresses,  and  particularly  of  Mr.  H.,  the 
minister.  She  said  it  was  all  right,  though  she  felt  afraid 
to  die. 

"Oh,  my  dear  son,  I  know  the  contents  of  this  letter 
will  cause  the  tear  of  grief  to  flow  from  your  eyes  ;  but  I 
hope  you  may  be  influenced,  through  the  agency  of  the 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


235 


Holy  Spirit,  to  seek  first  the  kingdom  of  God  and  his 
righteousness.  Pray  for  yourself,  and  pray  for  your  af- 
flicted parents.  I  will  still  say  to  you,  that  I  justify  God, 
and  desire  to  acquiesce  in  his  will.  Your  cousin  L.  A. 
returned  with  J.  from  N.  B.,  and  will  spend  some  time  with 
us.  This  appears  to  be  one  of  God's  great  mercies,  in 
this  day  of  affliction  and  bereavement.  She  enters  feel- 
ingly into  our  situation.  Your  mother  and  little  brothers, 
with  this  cousin,  unite  with  me  in  much  love  to  you. 
The  mail  will  soon  arrive,  and  I  must  hasten  to  a  close, 
after  thanking  you  for  one  letter  since  you  left  us.  May 
the  Lord  bless  you,  my  dear  son,  and  bring  you  to  the 
saving  knowledge  of  the  truth. 

"  From  your  afflicted  father." 

"June  21,  1825. 

"My  dear  Sons, 

"  You  have  knowledge  of  the  mysterious  providence 
of  God,  in  removing  by  death  your  dear  and  only  sister 
Lucy,  in  a  few  days  after  her  arrival  at  Sandwich.  I 
need  not  say  to  you,  that  this  is  the  heaviest  stroke  which 
has  fallen  upon  your  afflicted  parents,  and  upon  the  family, 
as  we  relied  very  much  upon  her  company,  which  was 
always  pleasant,  and  rendered  doubly  interesting,  since 
the  decease  of  Harriet.  She  was  taken  more  unwell  the 
day  after  she  was  left.  Dr.  L.  was  called  to  see  her,  and 
to  minister  to  her.  From  the  effects  of  this  ill  turn  she 
never  recovered,  though  she  was  able,  on  the  Sabbath 
following,  to  sit  up  the  greatest  part  of  the  day,  and  con- 
tinued, in  a  measure,  comfortable,  until  the  Thursday 
following.  On  Saturday,  the  11th,  being  alarmed,  our 
friends  sent  for  Dr.  T.,  of  Plymouth,  who  arrived  about 
five  o'clock  on  Sabbath  morning.  Our  dear  Lucy  had  a 
very  distressing  night,  and  no  parents  or  brothers  to 
minister  to  her ;  and  yet  the  kindest  of  friends.  Your 


236 


MEMOIR  OF 


aunt  F.  and  N.  A.  watched  with  her,  but  could  do  little 
to  alleviate  her  pains,  which  were  extreme.  When  Dr. 
T.  came  he  said  he  could  do  nothing.  Lucy  had  her 
senses  to  the  last,  and  was  the  same  patient  and  placid 
creature  that  she  ever  had  been.  She  did  not  make 
herself  unhappy  because  she  left  home;  nor  because  she 
could  not  have  the  attention  of  her  parents  ;  but  said  all 
was  as  it  should  be.  N.  A.  writes  that  she  was  as  patient 
as  a  lamb.  On  Friday  night,  Mrs.  R.,  of  N.  B.,  watched 
with  her,  and  continued  with  her  the  most  of  the  time 
until  the  affecting  scene  closed,  and  her  immortal  soul 
departed  from  its  clayey  tenement.  She  told  Mrs.  R.  she 
was  afraid  to  die.  Mr.  H.  visited  her  frequently  and 
prayed  with  her,  which  I  rejoice  to  hear.  Dr.  T.  said 
her  disorder  was  on  the  liver,  and  that  no  medicine  she 
had  taken  had  ever  reached  it.  She  died  on  Sabbath 
morning,  the  12th,  at  a  quarter  past  eight,  the  same  day 
of  the  week  on  which  she  was  born.  On  Monday,  five 
o'clock  P.  M.,  her  funeral  was  attended  from  your  uncle 
F.'s,  and  her  mortal  remains  were  followed  to  the  grave 
by  thirty  of  her  relatives,  and  many  others  deeply  affected 
by  the  solemn  scene.  I  was  at  P.,  when  the  letter,  re- 
ceived on  Wednesday,  announcing  her  death,  was  sent  to 
me.  The  shock  was  almost  too  great  for  my  frail  nature 
to  sustain.  Dr.  G.  heard  the  letter,  and  I  requested  him 
to  state  to  you  all  the  particulars  he  could  recollect.  I 
hastened  home  to  the  afflicted  mother  and  children,  and 
had  no  time  to  write.  Before  I  departed,  the  Association 
united  in  prayer  for  me  and  my  family.  I  found  my 
house  thronged  by  sympathizing  neighbors,  to  whom  the 
letter  was  read,  which  occasioned  much  weeping,  and 
many  sighs.  Last  Sabbath  Rev.  Mr.  B.  preached  a 
funeral  sermon  in  my  desk  to  a  great  concourse  of  people. 
I  regretted  that  you  both  could  not  have  been  present. 
The  text  was  the  forty-sixth  Psalm,  first  verse — '  God  is 
our  refuge,'  &c. 


ALVAN  HYM. 


237 


"  It  is  probable,  that  if  Lucy  had  attempted  to  return,  a 
more  distressing  scene  would  have  been  opened,  for  she 
might  have  sicker>ed  and  died  among  entire  strangers. 
How  insupportable,  my  son  J.,  this  would  have  been  to 
you  !  I  see  great  mercies  in  the  midst  of  our  heavy 
afflictions. 

"That  beloved  child  and  sister  has  left  our  society, 
closed  her  state  of  probation,  and  entered  upon  an  eternal 
state.  I  have  to  lament  my  unfaithfulness  to  her ;  but  no 
neglected  opportunity  can  I  now  recall.  I  desire  to  be 
more  faithful  to  my  surviving  children,  all  of  whom  I  have 
attempted  to  instruct  on  the  all-important  subject  of  re- 
ligion. I  have  not  said  enough  to  you  on  the  danger  of 
delaying  repentance.  My  dear  sons,  let  me  have  the  joy 
of  seeing  you  in  earnest  to  comply  with  the  requisitions 
of  the  gospel,  and  to  secure  the  good  part  which  shall 
never  be  taken  away.  Believe  me  to  be  in  earnest,  when 
I  urge  you  to  this.  It  is  a  most  reasonable  thing,  and  it 
is  for  your  life. 

"  I  wish  very  much  to  see  you,  for  we  are  lonely ;  and 
but  for  the  society  of  cousin  L.,  we  should  be  much  more 
so.  Her  coming  to  us,  at  this  time,  has  been  to  me  a 
striking  providence.  Your  mother  is  as  well  as  could  be 
expected  under  such  a  sudden  and  heavy  bereavement. 
She  with  your  brothers  unite  with  me  in  much  love  to  you 
both/' 

"JVov.  23,  1825. 

"  My  dear  son  Chauncey, 

"  I  have  had  more  anxious  thoughts  for  you,  than  I 
ever  had  fojr  any  child,  on  leaving  the.  paternal  mansion. 
When  E.  left  me,  I  was  comforted  from  the  thought  that 
he  would  be  embosomed  in  a  family  of  religious  principle, 
where  he  would  daily  enjoy  the  privilege  of  having  his 
attention  called  to  the  word  of  God,  and  social  worship. 


238 


MEMOIR  OF 


You  must  be  under  the  necessity  of  being  conversant 
with  anotlier  sort  of  people,  who  have  different  religious 
principles.  But  you  have  had  the  advantage  of  much 
counsel  and  instruction,  while  with  your  parents,  and  you 
have  carried  the  word  of  God  with  you.  This  I  entreat 
you,  with  all  the  solicitude  of  a  fond  parent,  to  r«ad  daily 
and  attentively.  From  this  book,  God  speaks  to  you,  on 
the  concerns  of  your  ."^oul,  and  if  you  will  onlv  regulate 
your  life  by  it,  you  h  ill  be  made  wise  unto  salvation.  Few 
persons  of  your  age  have  attended  more  religious  meetings 
than  you  have,  or  had  a  better  opportunity  to  understand 
the  holy  scriptures.  The  return  of  the  Sabbath,  without 
your  former  privileges,  must  deeply  affect  you  ;  but  I  pray 
God  to  keep  you  from  losing  all  sense  of  the  sanctity  of 
the  Sabbath.  I  hope  your  brother  will  go  with  you  as 
often  as  possible  to  the  meeting  at  P.  When  this  shall 
not  be  convenient,  devote  yourself  to  religious  reading, 
and  remember  that  the  Bible  is  the  fountain  of  all  true 
wisdom.  I  shall  continue  to  send  to  S.  the  Recorder, 
which  you  have  been  accustomed  to  read,  and  Spectator. 
Never  be  seen  walking  the  streets  on  the  Lord's  day,  nor 
mingling  in  any  company.  Way  the  Lord  guide  you,  my 
dear  son,  and  keep  you  from  sin.  Improve  your  time 
diligently,  and  cultivate  your  mind.  Avoid  all  trifling 
conversation,  and  be  faithful  and  strictly  honest  in  your 
brother's  business,  and  let  it  be  a  pleasure  to  him  to  in- 
struct you.  Then  you  will  be  mutual  helps  to  each 
other. 

"  I  have  read  your  letter  to  cousin  L.,  and  was  not  a 
little  pleased  with  it.  The  account  of  your  journey  was 
very  comprehensively  and  happiiv  written.  I  could  easily 
follow  your  movements  the  whole  of  the  way,  having  re- 
peatedly passed  the  same  route,  excepting  the  last  three 
miles.  To-morrow  is  the  anniversary  thanksgiving  in 
Massachusetts,  on  which  occasion  you  never  was  absent 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


239 


from  your  father's  table.  We  shall  be  very  much  alone, 
though  we  have  Mr.  A.,  the  converted  Jew,  with  us.  I  never 
saw  a  young  man  so  eager  to  acquire  an  education  in  my 
life.  lie  has  an  ardent  desire  to  do  good  to  his  countrymen. 
He,  however,  will  not  succeed  in  obtaining  a  school  in 
this  town.  I  recommend  it  to  you  to  take  particular  pains 
to  improve  your  penmanship,  and  to  retain  your  knowledge 
of  orthography  and  grammar.  Advance  also  in  your 
knowledge  of  figures,  that  you  may  be  fitted  for  a  man  of 
business.  Write  me  very  frequently,  and  I  shall  cheerfully 
pay  the  postage,  if  I  find  your  letters  are  written  with 
attention  and  care.  Be  assured,  my  dear  son,  that  you  are 
on  my  mind  every  hour  in  the  day,  and  I  am  often  attempt- 
ing to  pray  for  you  ;  and  be  entreated,  my  son,  to  pray 
for  yourself" 

"  Dec.  IQ,  1825. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  I  now  enumerate  weeks,  and  I  believe  months, 
since  I  have  received  a  single  line  from  you.  This  total 
silence  has  occasioned  much  solicitude,  lest  your  health 
may  have  failed.  The  only  reason  I  can  assign,  which 
satisfies  me  in  any  degree,  is,  that  Mr.  H.  has  been  absent 
much  of  the  time,  and,  when  at  home,  has  been  engaged 
in  entering  into  his  new  establishments.  This  has  left 
you  no  leisure  for  writing  to  your  friends.  I  will  hope  for 
the  best.  Daily  I  endeavor  to  commend  you  to  the  mercy 
and  guidance  of  your  heavenly  Father.  I  hope,  my  son, 
you  attempt  to  do  the  same  for  yourself  Amidst  all  your 
cares,  remember  that  'one  thing  is  needful,'  and  that  you 
will  be  unkind  to  yourself,  if  you  neglect  the  care  of  your 
soul.  The  precious  word  of  God  you  possess,  and  this  is 
able  to  make  you  wise  unto  salvation,  through  faith  in 
Christ  Jesus.  I  cannot  tell  you  how  much  it  would  rejoice 
my  heart  to  hear  of  your  walking  in  the  truth.  Associate 


240 


3MEM0IR  OF 


with  the  virtuous,  and  have  no  intimacy  with  those  who 
cast  off  the  fear  of  God.  Let  your  conversation  be  as 
becometh  the  gospel  of  Christ. 

"  I  have  lately  been  to  W.,  where  there  is  an  appear- 
ance of  a  revival  of  religion,  not  only  in  the  town,  but  in 
the  college.  '  The  students  are  very  solemn,  and  some  of 
them  are  beginning  to  rejoice  in  hope.  What  a  mercy  it 
would  be,  if  your  brother  W.  should  sliare  in  this  work, 
and  become  a  decided  follower  of  the  Saviour?  He 
evidently  is  more  serious,  and  is  attentive  to  the  meetings. 
O  that  the  Lord  would  have  mercy  on  him,  and  on  all  my 
children.  If  one  of  them  should  seek  after  the  Lord,  I 
should  hope  he  might  be  instrumental  of  the  conversion 
of  the  others.  Once  I  had  children  who  accompanied  me 
to  the  table  of  the  Lord,  and  whom  I  embraced  as  spiritual 
children.  Those  are  removed  to  a  better  world.  Now  I 
have  not  a  child  who  has  entered  into  covenant  with 
God's  people.  I  hope  and  pray,  that  this  may  not  long 
be  my  lamentation.  You  live,  where  you  may  have  great 
privileges,  and  I  hope  you  are  eager  to  enjoy  them." 

"  Dec.  13,  1825. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  We  have  been  at  a  loss  to  account  for  your  total 
silence,  since  you  left  the  paternal  mansion.  You  well 
know  with  what  avidity  your  parents  read  letters  from 
their  absent  children.  We  bear  you  on  our  hearts,  every 
day,  and  are  too  much  inclined  to  indulge  unreasonable 
anxieties  on  your  account.  When  your  letters  reach  us, 
fraught  with  what  we  call  good  nacs,  our  hearts  are  made 
to  rejoice.    We  feel  unspeakable  relief  from  anxiety. 

"  C.  has  written  one  letter  to  his  cousin  L.,  informing 
us  of  your  safe  arrival.  This  she  immediately  answered, 
in  my  absence.  I  have  written  to  him  since,  but  have 
had  no  returns.    Through  divine  mercy  we  all  have  been, 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


241 


and  still  arc,  favored  with  health.  By  appointment  of  the 
Association,  I  have  performed  a  missionary  tour,  accom- 
panied by  Mr.  F.  We  were  directed  to  visit  Pittsfield, 
Lanesborough,  and  Williamstown.  In  each  of  these 
places  we  both  preached  and  exhorted,  laboring  to  arouse 
the  professors  of  religion  from  their  criminal  slumbers. 
At  Williamstown,  a  revival  has  commenced,  and  it  begun 
in  the  college.  I  have  not  seen  such  solemnity  in  that 
institution  for  many  years.  Many  of  the  thoughtless  and 
vain  youth  seemed  to  be  convinced  that  they  have  trifled 
with  their  immortal  interest  long  enough.  Some  have 
deep  feelings,  and  five  were  rejoicing  in  hope,  ten  days 
ago.  W.  is  not  without  his  feelings,  though  he  speaks  of 
his  heart  as  being  harder  than  the  nether  millstone.  I 
had  an  interesting  conference  with  him,  and  he  seemed 
disposed  to  listen  to  my  advice.  What  the  event  will  be, 
God  only  knows.  He  now  is  favored  with  powerful 
means.  He  is  urged  from  every  quarter  to  press  into  the 
kingdom.  I  have  been  led  to  compare  his  situation  with 
yours,  where  you  have  not  even  the  ordinary  means  of 
grace.  God  is  now  using  a  hundred  times  the  moral 
influence  with  him,  that  he  is  using  with  you,  and  yet  he 
may  be  left  to  perish  in  his  sins.  I  ardently  desire  to 
have  all  my  children  personally  interested  in  Christ.  If 
this  should  be  the  case,  they  would  be  rich  indeed. 

"  All  the  churches  in  the  county  have  enjoyed  similar 
visits  from  two  ministers.  Last  week,  Mr.  B.  and  Mr.  B. 
visited  us.  Both  preached,  and  both  exhorted.  The 
people' were  generally  togetlier,  and  the  meetings  were 
very  solemn.  I  hope  we  shall  have  an  ingathering  of 
souls  into  the  kingdom.  In  G.  B.,  there  is  considerable 
excitement,  and  it  appears  in  the  village.  A  few  of  the 
youth  are  cherishing  a  hope.  I  can  name  only  the 
daughter  of  Mr.  B.  Mr.  B,  feels  some  encouraged  with 
respect  to  S. 

^1. 


242  MEMOIR  OF 

"  I  desire  you  both  to  cultivate  a  taste  for  reading ; 
otherwise  you  will  not  be  men  of  information,  nor  will 
you  be  entitled  to  the  society  of  men  of  taste  and  refine- 
ment. And  you,  my  son,  must  set  the  example.  I  do 
not  recommend  the  reading  of  novels.  To  the  immortal 
mind  they  are  light  food  indeed.  It  is  important,  to  ac- 
quaint yourself,  as  far  as  possible,  with  facts  relating  to 
the  moral,  religious,  and  political  state  of  our  country. 
This  knowledge  is  to  be  derived  from  the  newspapers 
and  periodical  works  of  the  day.  To  aid  you  in  acquir- 
ing this  knowledge,  I  have  been  induced  to  send  you  the 
Recorder  and  Spectator,  both  of  which  contain  a  sum- 
mary of  the  political,  literary,  and  religious  facts  of  the 
day.  You  will  see  a  notice  of  all  the  essential  improve- 
ments which  are  made,  and  all  the  valuable  books  which 
are  published,  in  our  country.  Treasure  up  these  facts, 
and  they  will  always  furnish  matter  for  conversation,  in 
such  company  as  is  worthy  of  seeking. 

"  Little  L.  is  well,  and  is  able  to  tell  where  all  her 
uncles  are.  You  must  write  oftener,  and  you  must  en- 
courage Chauncey  to  write.  May  the  Lord  guide  you, 
my  son,  and  make  you  a  blessing  in  the  world.  Your 
mother  and  brothers,  Avith  cousin  L.  and  little  L.,  unite 
with  me  in  much  love  to  you  and  C. 

"  From  your  affectionate  father." 

"  Dec.  21,  1825. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  Rarely  did  I  ever  read  a  letter  from  any  of  my 
children,  which  interested  me  more  than  yours  of  the 
15th  inst.  It  seems  that  the  Lord  has  been  working 
marvellously  in  the  college,  since  I  was  there,  and  has 
gotten  to  himself  a  great  name,  in  the  conversion  of  many 
youth,  and  of  numbers  who  heretofore  could  scoff  at  the 
self-denying  religion  of  the  Saviour.     Truly  by  these 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


243 


events,  convincing  evidence  is  furnished,  that  God  holds 
all  hearts  in  his  hands,  and  that  he  has  mercy  on  whom 
he  will  have  mercy.  The  harvest  already  has  been  great, 
and  the  most  of  those  who  had  been  living  without  God, 
and  without  hope,  have  been  shaken,  and  have  been  com- 
pelled to  take  refuge  in  Christ,  as  the  only  ark  of  safety 
from  the  impending  storm  of  divine  wrath.  I  know,  my 
son,  from  your  manner  of  writing,  that  you  have  not  been 
an  idle,  nor  an  uninterested  spectator  of  this  glorious 
work.  Indeed  you  inform  me  explicitly  that  you  have 
been  convinced  of  your  lost  and  ruined  condition  by 
nature,  and  that  you  must  be  forever  undone,  without 
renouncing  your  sins,  and  embracing  the  way  of  life  by 
Jesus  Christ.  Often  have  you  been  assured  of  this,  though 
you  apparently  heard  the  whole,  without  a  single  emotion 
of  fear  or  anxiety.  When  at  Williamstovvn,  I  apprised 
you  of  the  momentous  crisis  to  which  I  saw  you  was 
coming.  Never  did  I  tremble  so  much  for  you,  fearing 
that  your  proud  heart  would  let  the  Saviour  pass,  when 
he  was  so  evidently  present  by  his  Spirit,  without  applying 
to  him  to  heal  the  maladies  of  your  soul.  You  never  had 
even  a  shadow  of  an  excuse  for  your  unbelief;  and  if  you 
should  resist  the  light  you  now  have,  and  the  pressing 
entreaties  from  your  class-mates  and  fellow-students  which 
you  now  daily  hear,  aggravated  beyond  description  must 
be  your  condemnation.  You  say  you  are  convinced  of 
your  entire  sinfulness :  then  flee  to  Christ.  Other 
refuge  have  you  none.  You  are  not  too  sinful,  nor  too 
helpless  to  be  saved  by  him ;  for  he  gave  his  life  a  ransom 
for  creatures  totally  ruined.  Unite  yourself  with  the  happy 
number  whose  delight  it  is  to  praise  him  for  redeeming 
love.  Before  this,  I  fondly  hope  you  have  renounced, 
with  all  your  heart,  the  vanities  of  this  world,  and  bowed 
at  the  foot  of  the  cross.  Some  expressions  in  your  last 
letter,  which  I  have  read  over  and  over,  seemed  to  me  to 


244 


MEMOIR  or 


savor  of  a  change  of  mind — a  change  of  treasure.  You 
do  not  speak  with  confidence,  nor  would  it  be  proper,  for 
the  heart  is  deceitful  above  all  things.  I  know  you  have 
beffun  to  pray,  though  you  do  not  say  it.  To  restrain 
prayer,  with  the  feelings  you  express,  would  be  impossible. 
Many  prayers  are  offered  up  for  the  college  in  this  place ; 
and  in  our  more  private  circles  I  have  heard  many  fervent 
petitions  for  my  son,  who  has  lived  to  witness  such  a  day, 
and  to  enjoy  such  powerful  means.  O  that  they  may  be 
heard  and  answered.  Knowing  something  of  the  deceit- 
fulness  of  the  heart,  I  am  compelled  to  exhort  you  to 
search  it  daily,  and  to  search  it  deeply.  Be  conversant 
with  those  whom  you  esteem  as  the  friends  of  Christ. 
Visit  Dr.  G.,  as  he  requested  you  through  me,  and  lay 
open  your  whole  heart  to  him.  Read  the  precious  word 
of  God,  not  with  indifference,  but  as  for  your  life.  Read 
it  with  fervent  supplication.  When  I  shall  see  you  agaia, 
I  hope  to  embrace  you  as  a  spiritual  son.  On  receiving 
this,  write  me  immediately,  and  refresh  my  heart,  which 
has  been  so  deeply  smitten  with  sorrow,  in  the  removal  of 
dear  children.  Write  to  all  your  brothers  at  the  west,  and 
tell  them  plainly  what  the  Lord  has  done,  and  is  doing  in 
college.  Tell  them  that  you  are  convinced  that  you  and 
they  need  a  better  portion  than  can  be  found  in  this 
world.  A  word  from  you,  fitly  spoken,  may  be  blessed  to 
them.  I  am  anxious  for  S.  and  C,  who  do  not  Jive  among 
the  people  of  God.  They  have  all  lately  written,  and  are 
well.  I  must,  however,  except  J.,  who  has  long  been 
silent.  Some  of  the  professors,  in  this  town,  are  more 
awake.    We  hope  the  Lord  will  have  mercy  on  us." 

"Dec.  22,  1825. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"This  day  I  received "  your  letter  of  the  16th  inst., 
and  thank  you  for  it.    Your  remarks  on  the  revival  of 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


245 


feiigion  in  Williams  college  pleased  me  much.     I  had 
noticed,  with  deep  regret,  the  lukewarm  state  of  the 
professors  of  religion  in  that  institution  for  many  years, 
and  I  have  perceived  the  very  unhappy  influence  it  had 
on  all  the  students,  and  even  on  the  ofiicers  of  college. 
My  heart  was  often  pained  when  you  was  a  member  of 
college,  and  when  yon  was  there  as  tutor,  in  witnessing 
the  influence  which  this  lamentable  state  of  feeling  had 
on  your  mind.    The  scene  is  now  reversed,  and  great 
iadced  is  the  change  in  the  moral  aspect  of  the  institution. 
Divine  Providence  has  so  ordered,  that  you  should  be  sent 
away  before  these  blessings  should  be  showered  upon  your 
alma  mater.    This  has  given  rise  to  many  serious  reflec- 
tions in  my  mind.     I  am  sometimes  ready  to  say,  O  that 
J.  had  been  inclined  to  continue  another  year  in  the 
tutorship,  and  to  have  witnessed  this  display  of  divine 
power  and  grace !    I  have  no  doubt,  my  son,  that  God  is 
now  exerting  more  llian  a  hundred  times  the  moral  influ- 
ence on  the  minds  of  the  youth  there,  than  he  did  a  year 
or  si.t  months  ago.    This  is  always  the  case,  when  the 
Holy  Spirit  is  imparted.     Every  subject  of  grace,  and 
every  awakened  sinner,  becomes  a  powerful  preacher.  I 
have  received  a  letter  from  W.,  written  since  the  one  you 
received  from  him,  which  informs  me  that  the  work  is 
progressing,  and  that  more  than  twenty  of  the  careless 
students  were  rejoicing  in  hope ;  and  since  I  commenced 
this  letter,  I  have  been  informed  that  the  number  of 
hopeful  converts  is  twenty-seven.     This  is  the  Lord's 
doings,  and  it  is  marvellous  in  our  eyes.    Never  did  I 
receive  a  letter  from  W.  that  breathed  such  a  spirit  as  his 
last.    His  heart  appeared  to  be  full.    He  has  evidently 
had  a  sight  of  his  entirely  lost  state,  and  from  some 
expressions  which  he  used,  I  was  led  to  the  conclusion 
that  a  radical  change — a  change  of  treasure,  had  taken 
place,  though  he  did  not  say  it.    I  find  that  the  pious 
21  * 


246 


MEMOIR  OF 


students  embrace  him  as  one  of  the  spiritually  borii. 
O,  my  son,'  this  has  alpiost  overwhelmed  me  with  joy.  I 
am  aware  that  the  supposed  change  may  prove  fallacious, 
and  that  my  fond  hopes,  with  respect  to  him,  may  be 
blasted.  Since  the  deaths  of  my  oldest  children,  I  have 
had  none  to  accompany  me  to  the  sacramental  table — 
none  to  write  to  me  on  the  interesting  subject  of  religion. 
This  has  been  my  grief.  If  the  Lord  has  begun  to  show 
mercy  to  my  surviving  children,  I  hope  he  will  have  com- 
passion on  them  all,  and  that  my  joy  may  yet  exceed 
my  afflictions,  which  have  been  very  great.  It  is  an 
unspeakable  privilege  to  have  Christian  relatives,  and 
especially  Christian  children.  My  son,  why  will  you  not 
give  me  this  joy  I  " 

"i^ci.  26,  1826. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  I  sincerely  thank  you  for  your  good  letter,  by 
Mr.  C,  and  by  the  same  hand  I  forward  a  few  lines  to 
you.  It  filled  my  heart  whh  joy,  when  I  read  the  account 
you  gave  of  the  prospect  of  a  revival  of  religion  ,  in  A. 
No  blessing  ever  conferred  upon  a  people  is  to  be  com- 
pared with  the  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  convincing 
them  of  sin,  and  turning  them  from  their  sinful  courses 
to  serve  the  living  God.  Before  this  time,  I  hope  many 
have  been  compelled  to  bow  to  the  sceptre  of  Christ,  and 
to  enlist  under  his  banner,  who  will  hereafter  be  eminent 
soldiers  of  the  cross.  Among  these,  I  ardently  hope  my 
dear  E.  is  numbered,  or  will  be  numbered.  I  fear  your 
pressure  of  business  will  too  much  occupy  your  mind,  and 
keep  you  from  attending  the  weekly  meetings.  Your  soul 
is  of  more  importance  than  your  body,  and  your  prospects 
for  the  future  world,  than  all  earthly  gains.  My  son,  go 
to  God,  who  is  every  where,  and  humbly  confess  your  sins, 
and  keep  nothing  back.    Christ  died  for  the  chief  of 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


247 


sinners,  and  if  you  will  only  forsake  all  for  him,  you  will 
be  pardoned  and  saved. 

"Wishing  you  the  divine  blessing,  I  subscribe  myself 
your  affectionate  father." 

«  March  4,  1826. 

"  My  dear  son  Chauncey, 

"  It  gave  me  much  pleasure  to  learn,  tliat  you  had 
attended  public  worship  at  P.,  and  also  that  you  had 
spent  a  Sabbath  at  O.  There  you  saw  a  number  of  your 
old  acquaintances,  and  I  conclude,  tarried  at  the  house 
where  your  beloved  sister  Harriet  lived  a  few  years.  '  I 
never  think  of  that  dear  child,  and  my  other  dear  children, 
who  are  gone,  without  experiencing  emotions  which 
language  cannot  describe.  O,  my  dear  son,  you  can 
never  forget  them.  Here,  I  must  ask,  have  you  read  the 
lines  in  the  Recorder,  relating  to  our  family  ?  You  did 
not  even  mention  them,  in  your  letter  to  Lucy. 

"  The  Sabbath  never  returns,  without  bringing  your 
case  and  that  of  your  brother  S.  very  fresh  to  my  mind. 
We  have  many  meetings  every  week,  and  they  are  well 
attended.  T.  waits  upon  me,  generally,  when  I  go  to, the 
extreme  parts  of  the  town,  as  you  formerly  did.  I  trust 
you  read  the  Bible  on  the  Sabbath,  and  other  books  cal- 
culated to  keep  your  thoughts  away  from  this  world.  I 
lately  sent,  by  mail,  Mr.  Y.'s  sermon  for  you  both  to  read. 
I  fear  you  will  forget  the  catechism,  which  I  have  so  often 
heard  you  repeat,  and  which  I  consider  an  excellent  com- 
pendium of  the  doctrines  of  the  Bible.  Remember  the 
12th  chapter  of  Ecclesiastes.  Repeat  it  to  your  brother. 
As  he  has  lived  in  this  world  of  sin  and  temptation  longer 
than  you  have,  let  him  be  your  counsellor,  as  I  trust  you 
find  in  him  a  faithful  friend. 

"  I  hope,  my  dear  son,  you  are  improving  your  time 
well,  and  feel  the  importance  of  sustaining  a  character, 


248 


MEMOIR  OF 


which  will  not  be  reproachful  to  your  parents.  Read 
much  and  with  great  care.  If  you  mean  to  be  respected, 
you  must  cultivate  your  mind  with  great  diligence.  I 
must  insist  on  your  writing  me  more  frequently.  It  will 
be  a  great  source  of  improvement  to  you,  and  a  comfort 
to  me.  Your  mother  unites  with  me  in  much  love  to  you 
and  S." 

"March  14,  1826. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  I  received  yours  of  the  9th  inst.  last  evening,  and 
also  one  from  Dr.  G.  C.  D.,  who  is  here,  says  he  expects 
to  go  soon  to  Williamstown.  By  him  I  have  written  to 
Dr.  G.,  and  as  he  delays  setting  out,  I  will  write  a  few 
lines  to  you.  Having  seen  several  letters  from  P.,  which 
communicated  animating  news,  respecting  the  religious 
appearance  in  college,  since  the  return  of  the  students, 
my  hopes  have  again  been  brightened,  in  regard  to  you. 
I  have  been  uncommonly  anxious  to  receive  a  letter,  and 
have  cherished  strong  desires  and  expectations,  that  you 
would  comfort  my  heart,  by  stating  definitely,  that  you 
was  not  only  almost,  but  altogether  persuaded  to  forsake 
all  for  Christ,  and  to  be  a  Christian.  The  state  of  your 
feelings,  as  expressed  in  your  letter,  has  drawn  many 
sighs  from  my  heart.  Take  heed,  my  dear  son,  lest  you 
be  found  among  those,  of  whom  it  is  said  in  scripture, 
'Behold,  ye  despisers,  and  wonder  and  perish!'  You 
have  now  reached  a  most  interesting  crisis.  The  Lord 
has  wrought  a  great  work  before  your  eyes,  and  many  of 
your  associates  have  been  compelled  to  come  to  the  foot- 
stool of  the  cross,  and  there  they  tell  you  they  have  found 
peace.  Why  do  you  stand  idle?  Are  you  willing  to 
have  no  part  nor  lot  in  Christ?  Shall  it  be  said  of  my 
son,  that  he  was  an  eyerwitness  of  the  wonderful  work  of 
divine  grace  in  college,  which  will  render  this  year  mem- 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


249 


orable  in  the  history  of  the  institution,  and  yet  neglected 
the  great  salvation  ?  I  cannot  but  feel  and  tremble  for 
you.  Never  did  you  before  resist  so  great  light,  never 
have  you  furnished  before  such  evidence  of  hardness  of 
heart.  Do  you  not  reflect  on  the  exceeding  weight  of 
guilt  you  are  incurring  ?  Do  you  not  look  forward  to  the 
day,  when  you  will  need  a  Saviour  to  befriend  you,  whom 
you  now  undervalue?  I  once  more  entreat  you,  my  son, 
to  be  wise,  and  to  attend  to  the  things  which  belong  to 
your  peace.  May  the  Lord  have  mercy  on  you,  in  this 
accepted  time. 

"  There  is  an  increasing  attention,  in  this  town,  and 
more  engagedness  in  the  church.  Two  persons  are  be- 
ginning to  hope  that  they  have  bowed  to  Christ.  It  has 
been  a  sickly  and  dying  time,  since  you  left  us.  A 
stranger  died,  this  morning,  at  Dr.  B.'s.  He  was  a  man 
of  property,  talents  and  education,  from  one  of  the  West 
India  islands,  and  returned  with  Dr.  B.  from  B.  in  a 
languishing  state  of  health.  He  appeared  to  have  resig- 
nation to  the  divine  will,  and  to  rely  upon  the  righteousness 
of  Christ  alone  for  salvation." 

"  ^pril  20,  1826. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  I  sincerely  thank  you  for  your  letter  by  P.,  which 
I  perused  with  great  interest,  and  with  a  mind  full  of 
anxiety,  having  repeatedly  heard  something  of  the  im- 
mensely critical  ground  on  which  you  had  stood  for  some 
weeks.  Before  this  time,  I  hope  you  have  come  to  a 
decision,  and  resolved  to  take  up  your  cross  and  be  a 
follower  of  Christ.  There  is  nothing  in  the  way.  The 
proffers  of  pardon  and  eternal  life  have  been  made  to  you, 
through  the  atoning  blood  of  the  Redeemer.  His  blood, 
my  dear  son,  cleanseth  from  all  sin.  Your  having  lived 
all  your  days  in  the  violation  of  God's  law,  and  in  conse- 


250 


MEMOIR  OF 


quence  of  it,  your  deserving  his  wrath,  presents  no  obsta- 
cle, if  you  are  only  ready  and  willing  to  condemn  your- 
self as  the  law  condemns  you,  and  to  be  forever  indebted 
to  Christ  for  your  salvation.  Do  you  view  yourself  a  lost 
creature  ?  Are  you  shocked  at  the  sight  of  your  moral 
pollution  ?  Such,  and  only  such,  Christ  came  to  seek 
and  to  save.  Think  not,  that  any  of  your  past  sins,  how- 
ever aggravated,  separate  between  you  and  Christ.  To 
indulge  a  thought  of  this  kind,  would  be  a  criminal  rejec- 
tion of  divine  testimony.  The  provisions  of  the  gospel 
are  ample.  Nothing  separates  between  you  and  Christ, 
but  present  unbelief  and  present  unwillingness  to  give  up 
all  for  him.  He  stands  with  open  arms  ready  to  receive 
you,  as  soon  as  your  heart  is  ready  to  count  all  things  but 
loss  for  the  excellency  it  may  discern  in  him.  On  this 
ground,  can  you  hesitate  a  single  moment  ?  Why  all  this 
delay  1  Why  this  unaccountable  indecision  in  a  matter 
so  plain,  and  of  such  infinite  moment  ?  Can  you  see  any 
thing  in  this  world,  which  you  can  rationally  prefer  to 
Christ  ?  You  will  promptly  say,  no  ;  at  least  with  the 
convictions  you  now  have.  Then,  my  son,  what  must 
your  heart  be,  how  vile  and  obstinate  to  remain  where 
you  are,  in  a  state  of  indecision,  or  to  return  to  your 
former  listlessness  and  stupidity,  and  shut  your  eyes 
against  all  the  evils  which  are  hastening  upon  the  un- 
godly ?  You  are  shut  up  to  the  faith.  But  one  course 
can  you  take  which  will  be  safe.  The  Saviour  is  waiting 
to  be  gracious,  and  probably  in  a  short  time,  he  will 
depart  from  the  college  and  from  Williamstown,  or  cease 
to  use  the  powerful  means,  of  which  you  have  been  an 
eye-witness  for  many  months.  If  you  should  be  so  un- 
wise, as  to  let  this  favorable  opportunity  pass,  gloomy 
indeed  will  be  your  prospects.  I  entreat  you,  with  all  the 
solicitude  of  a  parent  who  has  dedicated  you  to  God,  and 
who  loves  you  with  tender  affection,  not  to  delay  longer. 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


251 


On  reading  this  letter,  make  an  unconditional  surrender 
of  yourself  to  God.  Be  not  faithless,  but  believing  ;  and 
may  the  Lord  show  you  mercy,  by  bringing  you  into  the 
light  and  liberty  of  his  own  beloved  children. 

"  Last  week  I  preached  at  the  funeral  of  my  old  friend, 
Rev.  Dr.  C,  of  New  Marlborough.  I  have  preached 
at  the  funerals  of  five  of  my  senior  brethren  in  the  min- 
istry, which  is  an  uncommon  occurrence.  I  am  now  the 
oldest  member  of  the  Berkshire  Association." 

''Jlpril  29,  1826, 

"  My  very  dear  son  Chauncey, 

"  I  have  selected  two  small  books,  of  great  intrinsic 
value,  from  the  library  of  your  deceased  brother  Alvan, 
which  I  wish  you  to  read  with  careful  attention,  and  pre- 
serve as  your  own,  and  as  a  memorial  of  him.  The 
division  has  not  yet  been  made  of  the  whole.  When  it  is 
done,  you  will  have  more.  I  rejoice  to  hear  so  favorably 
of  your  attention  to  business.  May  God  bless  you,  by 
sanctifying  your  heart,  and  influencing  you  to  seek  a 
portion  in  Christ.  It  is  a  great  trial  to  my  mind,  that  you 
do  not  statedly  attend  on  divine  institutions,  and  that  you 
have  no  more  intercourse  with  those  who  feel  the  im- 
portance of  vital  and  experimental  religion,  and  of  the 
sanctity  of  the  Sabbath." 

"May  25,  182G. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  We  have  been  expecting  a  letter  from  you,  for 
several  weeks,  but  the  mail  brings  none  from  you.  I 
know  that  Mr.  H.  has  gone  to  New  York,  and  that  you 
are,  at  this  time,  very  much  occupied  in  managing  his 
concerns.  To  lighten  your  burdens,  in  some  measure, 
and  that  you  might  be  favored  with  an  agreeable  compan- 
ion, I  took  some  pains  to  introduce  R.  S.  to  your  store. 


252 


MEMOIR  OF 


I  hope  he  will  answer  all  your  expectations,  and  relieve 
you  from  much  care.  lie  has  been  educated  in  a  religious 
family,  and  has  been  trained  up  to  regard  the  Sabbath, 
and  to  attend  public  worship,  as  well  as  religious  confer- 
ences, and  meetings  for  prayer.  I  trust  he  will  not  lead 
you  into  bad  company,  nor  influence  you  to  seek  for 
amusement  on  the  Lord's  day.  Probably  you  both  sleep 
in  the  store,  and  I  recommend  to  you  the  practice  of  read- 
ing together  a  portion  of  God's  word,  before  you  lie  down 
to  rest — and  how  suitable  it  would  be  to  unite  in  prayer 
to  your  Maker  for  the  forgiveness  of  your  sins,  and  for  his 
merciful  protection.  You  are  doubtless  thinking  of  your 
prospects  for  this  life,  but  it  is  much  more  important  to 
think  of  your  prospects  for  the  future  world,  to  which  you 
are  more  rapidly  advancing  than  you  are  aware. 

"  Yesterday  I  attended  a  conference  in  the  south  part 
of  the  town,  and  had  opportunity  to  read  a  letter  from 
R.  S.  to  his  brother,  in  which  he  speaks  of  you  in  favora- 
ble terms.  I  desire  to  be  thankful,  that  you  have  been 
enabled  to  gain  the  confidence  of  Mr.  H.,  and  the  good 
esteem  of  the  people  in  A.  My  son,  '  acknowledge  the 
Lord  in  all  your  ways,  and  he  will  direct  your  paths.'  I 
hope  it  will  not  be  long  before  I  shall  have  the  joy  to  hear 
of  your  being  a  decided  and  open  follower  of  Jesus  Christ. 
Have  you  ever  visited  at  Mr.  L.'s  ?  You  mentioned  in 
one  of  your  letters,  that  he  had  given  you  an  invitation  to 
call  on  him,  and  I  have  hoped  you  would  comply  with  it. 
There  is  an  advantage  to  be  derived  from  the  conversation 
of  those  who  are  superior  to  us,  in  years  and  standing. — 
The  books  I  sent  you,  I  trust  will  have  your  attentive 
perusal.  Much  excellent  instruction  is  contained  in  them. 
If  you  read  with  care,  you  will  be  a  man  of  information, 
and  your  company  will  be  sought  and  valued  by  the  wise 
and  virtuous. 

"  About  this  time,  I  expect  you  will  have  a  visit  from 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


253 


your  brother  C,  as  S.  promised  me  to  grant  him  the  favor. 
I  hope  you  will  have  a  pleasant  visit  together,  as  dear  and 
affectionate  brothers.  As  you  have  had  the  most  expe- 
rience, you  will  give  him  such  counsel  as  may  be  useful 
to  him.  I  long  to  see  that  dear  son,  and  have  had  many 
anxieties  on  his  account,  as  he  has  not  the  religious  privi- 
leges which  you  enjoy." 

«  Jime  20,  1826. 

My  dear  Son, 

"I  have  recently  received  one  letter  from  yon,  and 
one  of  later  date  from  C,  both  of  which  I  perused  with 
great  interest.  It  gave  me  pleasure  to  learn  that  you 
were  both  in  health,  and  that  C.  had  made  a  pleasant  visit 
to  his  brother  E.  The  consideration  that  my  children  are 
so  far  separated  from  each  other,  and  from  their  parents, 
sometimes  fills  my  mind  with  gloom.  I  have  never  con- 
templated your  destitution  of  religious  privileges,  but  with 
pain,  and  my  anxieties  have  magnified  since  I  have  two 
sons  excluded,  as  it  were,  from  the  ordinary  means  of 
grace.  I  have  written  and  said  much  to  you,  on  the  sub- 
ject of  sanctifying  the  Sabbath,  and  of  making  exertions 
to  attend  the  public  worship  of  God.  It  was  on  this  con- 
dition, that  I  gave  my  consent  to  have  C.  reside  with  you. 
From  your  last  letter,  I  perceive  your  own  mind  has  been 
more  deeply  impressed  with  the  importance  of  religious 
privileges,  and  that  you  have  actually  been  influenced  to 
seek  for  them.  Your  remark  is  true,  my  son,  that  we  are 
'  not  sent  here  to  enjoy  the  goods  of  this  life  ordy.'  There 
is  a  future  state  of  being  to  prepare  for,  which  ought  to  be 
our  first  and  main  object.  In  spiritual  as  well  as  temporal 
things,  means  and  ends  are  connected.  You  wish  for  my 
advice,  with  respect  to  your  removing  from  F.  I  have 
never  supposed  you  would  take  up  a  j)ermanent  residence 
there.  This  thought  would  be  painful  indeed,  and  the 
22 


254 


MEMOIR  OF 


more  so,  when  I  reflect  on  your  having  a  family.  But 
you  may  ask,  When  will  be  the  best  time  to  remove  ? 
With  respect  to  this  point,  you  have  the  means  of  judging 
more  correctly  than- 1  have.  It  will  be  your  duty  to  effect 
a  removal  with  as  little  loss  as  may  be,  and  to  the  best 
advantage.  In  selecting  a  place,  you  will  need  much 
wisdom.  I  trust  you  will  be  influenced  by  a  regard  to 
good  society,  and  the  privileges  of  the  gospel.  These  are 
more  highly  to  be  appreciated  than  tlie  acquisition  of 
wealth.  On  many  accounts,  yea,  very  many,  it  would  be 
agreeable  to  have  you  nearer  your  parents ;  but  we  shall 
not  continue  long  to  enjoy  the  society  of  our  children.  It 
would  be  gratifying  to  me  to  see  you  located  with  a  family 
in  old  Massachusetts,  where  there  is  as  much  of  the  puri- 
tanic feeling  and  habits,  as  in  any  part  of  the  world.  I 
love  my  children,  and  I  think  it  would  afford  me  pleasure 
to  visit  them  often,  while  I  shall  be  able.  I  can  visit  you 
with  great  facility  where  you  now  are.  In  case  of  your 
removing,  I  cannot  direct  as  to  the  place.  My  son,  may 
the  Lord  direct  you,  in  this,  and  in  all  matters.  Let  it  be 
your  fixed  principle  and  habit  to  ask  counsel  of  him,  and 
he  will  direct  your  path.  I  very  much  wish  to  hear  from 
you  again  on  this  subject,  and  without  delay." 

"Aug.  7,  1826. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  By  Saturday's  mail,  I  received  your  letter  of  the 
2d  inst.  It  has  filled  my  mind  with  deep  concern  for  my 
beloved  son  Chauncey,  as  I  have  already  passed  through 
so  many  heart-rending  scenes.  He  has  not  been  absent 
from  my  mind  a  single  hour,  since  your  letter  came  to 
hand.  I  hope  for  the  best,  and  pray  that  God  in  mercy 
will  spare  his  life  and  restore  his  health.  Tell  him,  that 
his  case,  being  among  strangers,  and  at  a  great  distance 
from  home,  excites  all  the  tender  sympathies  of  his  parents. 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


255 


I  feel  constrained  to  plead  earnestly  for  him,  that  he  may 
be  sustained,  and  especially  that  he  may  be  prepared  for 
whatever  may  be  the  result  of  his  sickness.  I  hope  God 
will  sanctify  this  providence  to  him,  and  dispose  him  by 
his  grace,  to  seek  speedily  an  interest  in  Christ,  who  is 
able  to  save  the  chief  of  sinners.  He  has  had  much  in- 
struction, with  respect  to  the  way  of  salvation,  and  I  trust 
he  has  not  forgotten  the  counsel  he  has  so  often  heard. 
Entreat  him,  from  his  father,  to  commit  himself  into  the 
hands  of  that  good  Being,  who  has  watched  over  him, 
from  his  birth.  May  the  Lord  teach  him  to  pray  for  hijn- 
self,  and  to  take  refuge  in  Christ,- whose  blood  alone  can 
cleanse  his  soul. 

"Let  him  have  the  nursing  of  an  experienced  hand,  and 
the  best  medical  aid,  and  do  not  yourself  be  wanting  in 
your  kind  attentions  to  him.  I  shall  anxiously  wait  for 
intelligence,  and  hope  to  hear  from  you  again  on  Tuesday, 
or  Thursday.  If  his  sickness  should  increase,  and  his 
symptoms  become  alarming,  some  one  or  more  of  the 
family  will  immediately  repair  to  you.  W.  returned  with 
me,  last  week,  from  Williamstown,  and  has  a  leisure  time 
of  a  few  weeks  before  his  commencement  Possibly  I 
may  think  best  to  send  him  to  your  relief.  But  I  have 
matured  no  plan.    I  hope  for  favorable  tidings. 

"  J.  is  now  at  home,  and  will  probably  tarry  a  number 
of  weeks.  We  all  think  much  of  you  and  Chauncey  at 
this  time," 

"^ug.  11,  1826. 

■'  My  very  dear  son  Chauncey, 

"  Your  parents  are  now  deeply  afflicted  in  your  afflic- 
tions. The  hand  of  the  Lord  is  laid  upon  you,  but  we 
hope  your  sickness  will  be  sanctified  to  you,  by  causing 
you  to  see  your  dependence  and  your  lost  state  by  nature, 
and  the  necessity  of  pleading  for  mercy  through  the  me- 


256 


MEMOIR  OF 


diation  of  Christ.  He  died  for  the  chief  of  sinners,  sad 
if  you  will  only  forsake  all  for  him,  he  will  be  your 
Saviour  and  everlasting  friend.  Your  parents  cannot 
repent  for  you.  This  is  a  work  you  must  do  for  yourself, 
and  I  hope  you  will  do  it  immediately.  Many  calls  yon 
have  had  before,  in  the  sickness  and  deaths  of  your 
brothers  and  sisters.  Now  God  has  come  very  near  to 
you,  and  I  pray  that  you  may  learn  obedience  to  him,  by 
the  things  you  are  called  to  suffer.  My  son,  cheerfully 
give  up  yourself  to  God.  You  are  his  creature,  and  oh, 
that  you  may  be  fitted,  by  his  grace,  for  whatever  is  before 
you.  Acquaint  yourself  with  him,  on  this  bed  of  sickness, 
and  resign  all  into  his  hands.  He  knows  what  is  best,  he 
is  infinitely  holy,  and  will  do  you  no  injustice.  I  hope  to 
hear  favorable  news  the  next  mail."' 

"^ug-.  18, 1826. 

My  dear  Son, 

"E.'s  letter  of  Saturday,  and  yours  of  Monday,  were 
both  received  yesterday,  and  have  filled  our  minds  with 
such  anxiety  as  cannot  be  described.  They  have  left  me 
but  faint  hopes,  that  my  dear  Chauncey  is  now  among  the 
living.  His  appearance,  Monday  morning,  inspired  me 
with  a  little  hope  that  he  might  survive.  We  are  expect- 
ing a  letter  to-morrow,  and  we  need  divine  grace  to  be 
made  acquainted  with  the  tidings  which  you  may  com- 
municate. May  the  Lord,  in  his  infinite  mercy,  prepare 
us  all  for  the  events  of  his  providence.  You  have  been 
in  a  very  trying  and  responsible  situation.  O  that  it  might 
be  sanctified  to  you  and  to  us  all.  I  rejoice  to  learn,  that 
Mr.  C.  and  E.  are  with  you,  to  bear  a  part  in  this  deep 
affliction.  I  trust  also  W.  is  with  you.  We  try  to  pray 
for  you,  and  to  beg  of  God  to  spare  the  life  of  your  sick 
brother,  and  especially  to  extend  mercy  to  his  soul.  It  is 
affecting  to  hear  he  has  not  the  exercise  of  his  reasoD. 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


257 


Mr.  C,  I  trust,  prayed  with  him  and  for  him  many  times. 
You  must  al!  pray  for  him,  if  he  is  a  subject  of  prayer. 
I  feel  conscious,  that  while  I  am  writing  this,  my  beloved 
child  may  be  beyond  the  reach  of  prayer.  The  will  of 
the  Lord  be  done.  We  all  remember  you  daily.  Your 
mother,  brothers,  and  cousin  L.  unite  with  me  in  tender 
salutations  to  you  all.  I  hope  Chauncey  is  living  to  re- 
ceive a  part  Little  L.  is  very  well  and  sends  her  love. 
I  know  not  what  may  appear  to  be  the  path  of  duty,  after 
receiving  the  next  intelligence.  Adieu,  my  children, 
may  the  Lord  God  of  your  fathers  be  with  you,  and  com- 
fort you.    From  your  afflicted  father." 

''Aug.  21,  1826. 

"  My  dear  and  afflicted  Children, 

"  No  language  can  describe  the  trembling  and 
anxiety  which  we  have  felt  on  your  account,  and  espe- 
cially for  Chauncey,  in  his  distressing  sickness,  during 
the  last  fortnight  We  impatiently  waited  for  the  mail, 
on  Saturday,  and  yet  such  were  our  anticipations  of  the 
tidings  it  might  bring,  that  paleness  sat  on  our  counte- 
nances. We  had  but  little  expectation  of  hearing  that 
Chauncey  was  among  the  living;  but  your  letters  brought 
him  along,  through  several  days  of  extreme  suffering, 
until  Wednesday  morning,  when  he  was  alive.  What 
has  transpired  since,  is  entirely  out  of  our  sight.  That 
holy  Being,  who  has  so  long  watched  over  our  family,  and 
who  cannot  err  in  his  dispensations,  has  done  right  in  this 
case.  May  we  all  acquaint  ourselves  with  him,  and  bow 
to  his  will.  S.'s  letter,  which  was  the  last,  inspired  us 
with  a  faint  hope  that  he  might  be  spared.  The  last 
Friday  evening  meeting  was  at  my  house,  and  most 
fervent  prayers  were  offered  for  him,  and  for  you  in  your 
trying  situation,  and  for  the  whole  family.  Yesterday  we 
requested  public  prayers  for  him,  and  for  you,  and  for  all 
22  * 


258 


MEMOIR  OF 


the  members  of  the  family.  I  thank  you,  my  dear  chil- 
dren, for  being  so  particular  in  your  statements  of  the 
case  of  your  suffering  brother,  and  I  rejoice  in  having 
your  united  testimony,  that  he  has  had  the  best  of  care 
taken  of  him.  Let  nothing  be  wanting  to  make  him 
comfortable,  though  he  cannot  make  his  distresses  known. 
It  appears  to  be  an  extreme  case,  ordered  that  we  might 
all  profit  by  it.  O  that  we  may  be  humble,  and  be  induced 
to  secure  an  interest  in  Christ,  while  we  ha^\e  opportunity. 
If  I  had  wings,  how  soon  should  I  be  with  you,  and  bear 
a  part  in  your  toils  and  watchings,  as  I  now  do  in  your 
anxieties !  We  have  been  much  at  a  loss  as  to  the  path 
of  duty,  for  us,  your  parents.  Sometimes  we  have  thought 
it  best  to  set  out  on  the  long  journey ;  and  then  have 
concluded  to  wait  another  mail.  If  we  should  hear  to- 
morrow that  Chauncey  is  living,  and  that  any  hopes  of  his 
continuance  are  indulged,  I  think  we  shall  make  an  effort 
to  repair  to  your  relief.  Should  the  fever  leave  him,  he 
will  be  like  an  infant  in  strength,  and  will  need  the  most 
careful  watching.  Your  mother  stands  ready  to  go — and 
she  could  stay,  that  W.  might  return  to  his  commence- 
ment. May  the  Lord  direct  us  all,  and  bring  great  good 
out  of  this  new  and  unexpected  trial." 

"Aug.  28,  1826. 

"  My  very  dear  Son, 

"  We  have  all  again  been  called  to  drink  deep  of  the 
cup  of  afflictipn  and  sorrow,  and  you  have  been  an  eye- 
witness and  an  ear-witness  of  a  scene  of  suffering,  in  the 
sickness  and  death  of  your  beloved  brother  Chauncey, 
which  you  never  can  fully  describe.  O  that  God  may 
sanctify  to  you  and  to  us  all  this  unexpected  event.  It 
has  made  a  wide  breach  in  the  hearts  of  your  parents ; 
but  God  has  done  it,  and  we  must  not  murmur.  He  was 
indeed  a  promising  youth — and  has  been  cut  off  in  the 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


259 


bud  of  life.  All  I  can  say  is,  '  The  Lord  gave,  and  the 
Lord  hath  taken  away; ' — and  what  he  has  taken,  though 
dear  to  us,  was  his  own.  I  cannot  be  sufficiently  thankful 
that  you  repaired  so  early  to  the  scene  of  suffering,  and 
that  you  staid  by  your  dear  brother  until  the  last.  It  was 
gratifying  to  learn  that  you  all  went  to  Ogden,  where 
you  were  known,  and  desired  publicly  an  interest  in  the 
prayers  of  God's  people.  We  received  the  intelligence  of 
Chauncey's  death  on  Saturday.  I  sent  immediately  to 
Dr.  S.,  who  came  yesterday,  and  preached  a  funeral 
sermon  to  a  very  great  concourse  of  people.  Your  uncle 
and  aunt  D.  were  present.  I  fear  you  will  not  accompany 
W.  here,  as  you  have  been  absent  a  few  weeks  from  your 
business — and  this  leads  me  to  write  to  you.  My  son, 
we  have  a  strong  desire  to  see  you,  in  our  afflicted  and 
bereaved  state,  and  know  not  how  to  be  denied.  I  think 
the  journey  might  contribute  to  your  health." 

"Abr.  1,  182G. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  It  gave  us  much  pleasure  to  receive  and  peruse 
yours  of  the  15th  ult.  ;  particularly  to  be  informed  of  your 
safe  arrival  at  A.  I  reflect  on  your  visit,  and  that  of  your 
brothers  at  the  same  time,  with  mixed  emotions.  I  rejoice 
that  I  have  seen  you  all  together  under  the  parental  roof 
and  around  the  domestic  altar,  and  yet  have  pain,  that  I 
was  not  more  faithful  in  inviting  and  entreating  you  to 
become  the  decided  friends  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who 
is  able  to  save  you  from  your  sins.  That  which  is  more 
important  than  every  thing  else,  we  are  prone  to  neglect. 
I  long  to  have  my  children  real  Christians,  and  uniting 
themselves  with  the  followers  of  the  Lamb  of  God.  Could 
I  have  assurance  of  their  being  on  their  way  to  the 
heavenly  world,  it  would  be  enough.  Then  I  could  hope 
in  their  case,  if  I  should  hear  of  their  sickness.  Your 


260 


MEMOIR  OF 


privileges  at  A.,  I  conclude,  are  great.  The  Spirit  of  the 
Lord  is  there,  converting  sinners,  and  I  hope  you  will  be  a 
partaker  of  divine  blessings.  Choose  for  your  intimates 
those  who  fear  the  Lord. 

"  I  need  not  inform  you,  that  we  have  been  very  lonely 
since  so  many  of  our  sons  left  us.  But  we  have  had 
much  company  from  abroad,  and  this  has  greatly  occupied 
our  thoughts  and  attention.  Through  divine  mercy  we 
are  in  comfortable  health,  though  not  without  complaints. 
You  was  the  first  to  write  to  us  after  we  were  left. 

"  We  have  had  many  interesting  meetings  since  you 
left  us,  and  there  appears  to  be  some  attention ;  and  I 
trust  there  have  been  a  few  conversions  among  this  people. 
I  hope  there  will  be  a  great  harvest  of  souls.  It  is  a  time 
of  general  health.  There  has  not  been  a  death  in  town 
since  about  the  middle  of  August. 

"  I  once  more  charge  you,  my  dear  son,  to  take  care  of 
your  health.  Exercise  in  the  open  air  daily.  Retire 
early  to  rest,  and  dismiss  all  your  cares.  Never  write,  or 
attend  to  mercantile  business,  after  ten  o'clock  at  night." 

"Jan.  12,  1827, 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  Your  long  silence  had  excited  many  fears,  lest  you 
or  your  dear  companion  might  be  laid  on  a  bed  of  sick- 
ness ;  and  these  fears  were  rather  increased  on  hearing 
that  neither  J.  nor  E.  had  received  any  communication 
from  you.  It  was  not  unnatural  to  suppose  you  might  be 
in  some  liglit  aflliction,  with  which  you  was  unwilling  to 
trouble  your  distant  friends.  I  now  desire  to  praise  the 
Lord,  that  I  have  once  more  heard  that  you  are  both  in 
the  enjoyment  of  health,  and  that  E.  has  suffered  no  more 
in  consequence  of  her  being  so  widely  separated  from  her 
parents,  and  from  the  society  of  her  Christian  friends.  I 
have  felt  much  on  her  account,  as  well  as  yours ;  but  I 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


261 


hope  her  many  privations  will  teach  her  the  necessity  of 
living  near  to  God,  and  seeking  communion  with  him  in 
her  closet.  May  the  Lord  comfort  her  heart,  and  make 
her  wise  in  winning  to  Christ  the  soul  of  him,  for  whose 
sake  she  has  left  father  and  mother.  If  she  should  find 
in  you  a  real  friend  to  Christ,  she  would  find  a  blessing 
indeed,  for  which  no  worldly  prosperity  could  be  con- 
sidered as  an  equivalent.  My  son,  give  God  your  heart, 
and  your  dear  companion  will  have  this  blessing.  Already 
have  you  too  long  delayed  this  important  matter. 

"  In  your  letters,  you  have  made  no  mention  of  the 
manner  in  which  you  spend  the  holy  Sabbath ;  nor  of  the 
pleasure  you  have  in  reading  the  scriptures  together.  Be 
more  particular  in  your  next. 

"There  is  great  attention  to  the  subject  of  religion  in 
this  and  many  of  the  adjacent  towns,  particularly  Lenox, 
Richmond,  Canaan,  and  Green  River.  We  have  religious 
meetings  in  some  parts  of  the  town  every  evening  in  the 
week,  which  are  fully  attended  and  solemn.  Several  of 
my  people  are  rejoicing  in  hope.  Others  are  convicted 
of  their  lost  state  by  nature,  and  are  inquiring  what  they 
shall  do  to  be  saved.  These  are  among  the  greatest 
blessings  which  we  can  ask  from  God. 

"  You  cannot  forget  that  dear  brother  who  was  com- 
mitted to  your  care,  and  who  died  before  your  eyes. 
That  the  Lord  may  sanctify  this  providence  to  you  and  to 
us  all,  is  the  daily  prayer  of  your  affectionate  father." 

"  March  15,  1827. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"Your  letter  of  the  8th  inst.  I  have  received,  and 
thank  you  for  it.  It  seems  you  have  had  an  ill  turn, 
similar  to  what  you  experienced  last  summer,  owing  I 
presume  to  long  and  intense  application  to  business.  You 
must  relax  your  exertions,  and  use  more  bodily  exercise. 


262 


MEMOIR  OF 


It  is  impossible  to  preserve  health,  and  the  vigor  of  our 
bodies,  without  having  recourse  to  this  method.  My  son, 
you  must  hearken  to  counsel,  in  regard  to  this  matter,  and 
especially  as  the  spring  season  is  opening.  Chop  wood, 
or  saw  wood,  or  do  something  to  call  your  muscles  and 
nerves  into  exercise.  Avoid  the  evening  air,  and  all  the 
balls  and  parties  of  the  village  in  which  you  live.  They 
only  serve  to  dissipate  the  mind  and  drain  the  purse. 
More  important  things  should  occupy  the  mind. 

"  I  never  witnessed  more  universal  attention  to  the  sub- 
ject of  religion  in  any  place,  than  I  have  witnessed  here, 
for  two  months  past.  The  excitement  is  truly  wonderful, 
and  the  number  who  express  a  hope  of  being  reconciled 
to  God,  and  of  feeling  the  joy  of  pardoned  sin,  is  not  short 
of  two  hundred.  The  reality  of  the  change  must  be 
evinced  by  their  fruits.  Doubtless  some  will  prove  them- 
selves insincere,  and  return  to  their  former  courses. 
Family  worship  is  now  instituted  in  almost  all  the  houses 
in  this  village.  I  have,  for  several  weeks,  attended  fifteen 
meetings  each  weekj  exclusive  of  the  regular  meetings  on 
the  Sabbath.  This  has  been  very  wearing  to  my  con- 
stitution, which  was  much  impaired  before  ;  yet  I  have 
had  strength  equal  to  my  day.  I  have  greatly  desired  to 
have  all  my  children  here  to  see  the  work  and  to  share  in 
it.  Though,  as  you  intimate  in  your  letter,  the  Spirit  of 
the  Lord  is  not  limited,  yet  his  saving  operations  on  the 
soul  are  experienced,  where  means  are  used.  I  fear  your 
mind  is  too  much  occupied  by  things  perishable  in  their 
nature,  and  that  your  condition,  as  a  lost  sinner,  is  too 
much  kept  out  of  your  view.  How  can  you  feel  the 
necessity  of  repentance,  when  you  bestow  few  or  no 
thoughts  on  your  wickedness?  I  hope,  my  son,  you  will 
neglect  the  great  salvation  no  longer.  You  gain  nothing 
by  delaying;  indeed  you  are  involving  yourself  deeper  and 
deeper  in  guilt,  and  increasing  the  hardness  of  your  heart. 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


263 


I  am  praying  for  you,  every  day,  that  I  may  have  you  and 
my  other  children,  for  spiritual  children.  It  has  been 
mentioned  to  me,  by  a  friend,  that  your  mind  is  not  so 
tender  on  the  all-important  subject  of  religion,  as  the 
mind  of  S.  This  affected  me  very  much.  Does  he  attend 
religious  meetings  which  you  do  not  ?  Is  he  inquiring 
after  the  salvation  of  his  soul,  while  you  are  practically 
neglecting  yours?  -My  son,  your  parents  cannot  repent 
for  you — it  is  a  work  which  you  must  do  for  yourself,  and 
the  sooner  you  do  it  the  better.  This  evening,  I  expect 
to  meet  the  young  converts,  and  no  others.  I  have  had 
several'  such  meetings,  and  they  are  very  solemn  and 
interesting.  At  the  last  meeting, -one  hundred  and  eleven 
were  present.  Now  the  passing  is  very  bad,  and  the 
number  will  doubtless  be  smaller. 

"  Mr.    is  yet  laboring  with  me,  and  is  very 

active  ;  but  he  is  not  a  thorough  preacher.  I  feel  very 
anxious  for  the  people,  as  I  know  I  cannot  long  be  accep- 
table to  them.  He  is  full  of  words  and  very  popular,  and 
it  will  be  difficult  for  me  again  to  satisfy  them ;  but  I 
must  leave  the  event." 

"Sept.  30,  1827. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"I  have  just  returned  from  the  public  worship  of 
God,  and  though  fatigued,  I  will  address  a  few  lines  to 
you,  as  I  would  if  you  were  here,  address  you  with  my 
voice,  on  the  Sabbath,  I  greatly  lament  my  unfaithfulness 
to  you,  when  I  had  daily  opportunity  to  speak  to  you  on 
the  importance  of  an  interest  in  Christ.  You  went  from 
under  the  parental  roof,  at  an  earlier  period  than  any  of 
my  children,  and  I  have  had  but  little  opportunity  with 
you  since  you  was  thirteen.  It  never  entered  my  mind, 
when  you  went  away  with  H.,  that  you  never  would  come 
back  to  live  with  me  again.    You  have  been  led  along 


264 


MlEMOIR  OF 


from  step  to  step,  as  by  an  invisible  hand,  until  you  have 
entered  your  twentieth  year.  I  greatly  fear  you  may 
suffer  your  youthful  days  to  pass,  without  securing  the 
good  part,  which  can  never  be  taken  away.  You  are  now 
the  first  clerk  in  a  great  store,  and  your  mind  so  occupied, 
that  you  are  in  danger  of  forgetting  that  you  are  mortal, 
that  you  are  a  sinner,  and  that  you  need  an  interest  in 
Christ.  I  tremble,  lest  you  contract  some  habits  which 
may  blast  your  future  prospects,  and  especially  make  you 
indifferent  to  religion.  Your  present  situation  brings  you 
to  an  acquaintance  with  the  fashionable  part  of  society, 
who  are  fond  of  dress  and  regardless  of  expense.  Re- 
member, my  dear  son,  you  have  been  trained  up  to  be 
frugal,  and  that  you  cannot  expect  much  aid  from  your 
worn-out  parents.  Cultivate  your  mind.  Read  much, 
and  especially  read  the  precious  word  of  God.  S.  appears 
to  love  you.  Mr.  C.  speaks  well  of  you  ;  but  remember 
you  have  to  approve  yourself  w  ith  God.  I  long  to  see  you, 
and  have  indulged  the  hope  that  you  would  be  here  this 
fall." 

".Yov.  7,  1827. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  The  departure  of  my  much-bcloved  grandchild  has 
made  another  great  breach  in  my  family.  I  miss  her 
more  than  I  had  anticipated.  She  was  always  ready  to 
meet  me,  when  I  returned  home,  and  with  a  lovely  and 
affectioaate  smile,  she  was  full  of  her  mquiries,  and  in- 
teresting in  her  remarks.  She  uniformly  bowed  the  knee 
by  my  side,  when  engaged  in  family  prayer.  She  was 
more  company  for  me,  than  any  child  I  ever  saw  of  her 
age.  She  was  company  for  us  all.  I  bear  the  separation 
from  her,  as  well  as  I  can,  but  it  brings  a  gloom  over  my 
mind,  when  I  think  of  her  being  three  hundred  miles  from 
me,  forming  new  attachments,  and  forgetting  the  place  we 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


265 


all  have  had  in  her  affections.  I  have  heard  of  your  safe 
arrival  with  her  at  Ogden,  and  of  her  health  and  happi- 
ness. I  trust  you  and  your  wife  begin  to  feel  the  weight 
and  responsibility  of  your  new  charge.  Look  unto  God 
for  wisdom  and  grace,  that  you  may  guide  that  lovely  and 
interesting  child  aright.  Make  her  a  subject  of  your  daily 
and  fervent  prayers.  She  is  so  full  of  imitation  in  this 
forming  period,  that  all  your  conversation  will  have  an  im- 
portant influence  upon  her  character.  I  trust  that  her 
mother  has  entered  upon  the  business  of  instructing  her. 
With  a  little  labor,  judiciously  directed  and  persevered  in, 
she  will  soon  read  intelligibly.  The  worst  is  over  ;  and 
to  bring  her  where  she  is,  has  been  the  fruit  of  much  exer- 
tion, and  no  little  patience.  You  will  both  see  the  neces- 
sity of  system,  in  the  cultivation  of  her  mind.  May  the 
Lord  bless  her,  and  bless  all  your  efforts  for  her  good. 
She  is  the  only  child  of  a  daughter  who  was  very  dear  to 
me,  and  who,  I  trust,  gave  her  into  the  hands  of  a  cove- 
nant-keeping God.  Tell  her  that  her  grandparents  re- 
member her,  and  love  her,  and  pray  for  her.  Tell  her 
that  her  cousin  L.,  and  uncles  W.,  T.,  and  A.,  send  much 
love  to  her.  Her  uncle  A.  intends  writing  to  her  soon 
She  often  promised  to  write  to  me,  but  whether  I  shall 
live  to  receive  a  letter  of  her  own  writing  and  composi- 
tion, is  uncertain. 

"  We  have  had  another  addition  to  the  church,  making 
one  hundred  and  five  that  we  have  received.  Eight  stand 
propounded,  and  more  are  expecting  to  offer  themselves 
as  candidates." 

"April  21,  1828. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  Your  last  letter  gave  me  considerable  anxiety,  on 
account  of  your  health,  as  it  appears  you  was  suffering 
from  debility  when  you  wrote.    I  have  always  feared  you . 
23 


266 


MEMOIR  OF 


would  make  exertions  beyond  your  strength,  and  deprive 
yourself  of  the  proper  hours  for  sleep,  and  fail  of  taking 
sufficient  exercise  in  the  open  air,  both  of  which  are 
essential  to  the  preservation  of  the  vigor  of  the  body  and 
mind.  On  this  subject  I  have  written  yOu  several  times. 
I  wish  you  could  break  away  from  your  confined  labor, 
and  come  to  Lee,  and  visit  us,  and  recruit  your  strength. 
We  should  all  be  much  pleased  to  see  you.  On  tiie  im- 
portant subject  of  religion,  you  have  less  to  say  than  for- 
merly. I  hope  you  are  not  unmindful  of  your  relation  to 
another  world,  and  of  your  need  of  an  interest  in  the 
Saviour.  Here  I  will  adopt  the  language  of  a  minister 
who  has  lately  addressed  the  young  men  of  his  congrega- 
tion, and  published  his  address.  '  One  thing  is  plain — 
either  God  must  change,  or  you  must  change,  or  you  can 
never  behold  his  face  in  peace.  This  subject  must  be 
thought  of.  It  is  in  vain  to  think  of  always  keeping  it  at 
a  distance.  You  may  put  it  off  to-day,  and  to-morrow, 
and  next  day  ;  but,  as  God  is  true,  you  cannot  put  it  off 
always.  It  will  come  home  sooner  or  later  ;  it  may  come 
suddenly,  and  come  in  circumstances  only  to  tell  you  that 
your  term  of  probation  is  closed,  and  your  soul  lost  forever.' 
I  design  to  send  you  the  book  from  which  tliis  extract  is 
taken,  as  I  think  it  to  be  a  very  useful  work." 

"  Od.  23,  1828. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  Mr.  L.  C.  returned  from  N.  Y.  this  evening,  and 
has  informed  me  that  he  had  seen  you  in  health  ;  but  that 
you  was  not  coming  to  look  at  your  parents  in  our  lonely 
state.  This  has  been  to  us  a  great  disappointment,  for  we 
had  depended  on  a  short  visit  from  you,  on  your  way  to 
or  from  New  York.  I  trust  your  reasons  are  such,  as  are 
consistent  with  a  proper  regard  to  those  who  nurtured  you 
in  your  tender  years.    We  are  neither  of  us  in  very  good 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


267 


health.  We  are  making  great  exertions  in  this  town,  to 
promote  the  sanctity  of  the  Sabbath,  according  to  the 
requirements  of  God's  law,  and  as  the  means  of  saving  our 
country  from  ruin.  In  this  I  take  an  active  part.  If  any 
of  my  family  travel  on  the  Sabbath,  it  will  be  known,  and 
proclaimed  to  my  disadvantage,  and  also  to  theirs.  The 
period  has  arrived,  when  we  must  all  take  a  stand.  I  as- 
sure you,  my  son,  I  consider  this  new  effort  among  the 
friends  of  the  Sabbath,  as  one  of  vast  importance." 

"  Jan.  15,  1829. 

"  My  dear  Granddaughter, 

"  I  now  write  a  short  letter  to  you,  which  I  hope  you 
will  be  able  to  read,  or  at  least  to  understand,  if  your 
father  should  read  it  to  you.  God  has  kept  you  alive  until 
you  are  almost  six  years  old.  He  has  been  very  kind  in 
giving  you  good  health.  You  must  fear  God,  and  love 
him,  and  pray  to  him  every  day.  You  must  love  Jesus 
Christ,  who  died  for  you,  that  your  sins  might  be  forgiven, 
and  that  you  may  be  prepared  to  go  to  heaven,  where  I 
trust  your  dear  mother  has  gone.  She  died  in  my  house, 
when  you  was  too  young  to  remember  her.  Your  father 
was  not  present.  Her  death  was  a  great  affliction  to  your 
grandparents,  and  your  loss  was  very  great,  for  she  was 
the  most  tender  and  affectionate  of  mothers.  My  heart 
was  full  of  grief  and  pity  on  your  account.  But  God  saw 
it  to  be  best,  that  I  should  be  bereaved  of  a  much  beloved 
daughter,  and  you  of  a  kind  mother.  You  lived  with  us 
afterwards  three  years.  Do  you  remember  your  grand- 
parents ?  Do  you  remember  your  uncles  S.,  J.,  W.,  E., 
T.,  and  A.,  and  your  cousin  L.  ?  I  am  unwilling  you 
should  forget  us.  Do  you  remember  going  to  meeting 
with  us  on  the  Sabbath,  and  hearing  me  preach  ?  Now 
you  have  another  mother,  and  you  must  love  her  and  obey 
her.    You  must  read  the  Bible  every  day.    If  you  do  any 


268 


MEMOIR  OF 


thing  wrong,  God  will  know  it,  for  he  sees  you  wherever 
you  are,  and  knows  all  your  wicked  thoughts.  I  pray  for 
you  every  day,  that  you  may  be  a  good  child,  and  be  early 
sanctified  by  his  grace.  I  shall  expect  your  father  will 
bring  you  down  in  the  spring,  to  spend  the  summer  with 
your  grandparents,  and  go  to  school.  I  have  seen  your 
cousin  H.  F.,  this  week.  She  is  well.  She  rode  in  the 
sleigh  with  me. 

"  Your  grandmother,  and  uncles,  and  cousin  L.,  unite 
with  me  in  much  love  to  you.  If  you  have  begun  to  write, 
I  hope  you  will  send  me  a  letter. 

"  From  your  ever  affectionate  grandparent." 

"■JVov.  16,  182a 

"  My.  dear  Son, 

"  Your  very  acceptable  letter  of  the  9th  instant, 
came  safely  to  hand ;  and  such  was  the  effect  which  a 
perusal  of  it  produced  on  my  mind,  that  I  am  compelled 
to  make  a  speedy  return.  I  cannot  express  to  you  the 
gratification  I  feel,  when  I  notice  the  tokens  of  filial 
affection  and  tender  sympathy  for  your  parents,  in  almost 
all  the  letters  you  write  to  us.  You  seem  to  think  much 
of  our  being  in  the  decline  of  life,  and  needing  something 
special  to  solace  us,  as  we  see  our  sun  is  setting.  This  is 
truly  a  fact.  It  is  not  with  us  as  in  years  gone  by.  We 
are  now  among  the  aged,  and  have  buried  the  most  of  our 
early  friends,  and  the  new  generation  among  whom  we 
now  live,  are  less  interested  in  our  welfare,  than  were 
their  parents.  Our  bereavements  have  been  very  great. 
Often  do  I  think  of  the  endearing  ties  which  I  once  felt 
to  those  children  who  are  in  the  eternal  world.  My 
surviving  children  are  mostly  at  a  great  distance  from  me. 
On  you,  all  my  affections  are  strongly  placed,  and  in  your 
prosperity,  temporal  and  spiritual,  I  feel  greatly  interested. 
No  greater  joy  could  I  have,  than  to  hear  of  your  bccom- 


ALVAiN  HYDE. 


269 


ing  the  decided  follower  of  Christ,  and  taking  some 
humble  part  in  building  up  his  cause,  while  you  live.  I 
very  much  approve,  my  son,  of  the  course  you  have  taken, 
in  making  up  your  mind  to  continue  with  Mr.  H.  until 
next  spring.  You  are  constantly  acquiring  a  more  perfect 
knowledge  of  your  business,  and  Mr.  H.  will  take  you 
into  partnership  with  him.  My  concern  is,  that  you  may 
suffer  for  the  want  of  relaxation,  and  that,  before  you  are 
aware,  your  health  may  fail.  Will  it  not  be  wise  to  come 
home  and  be  with  your  parents  a  week  or  fortnight,  and 
live  as  we  do,  in  New  England?  We  should  be  happy  to 
see  you,  on  our  thanksgiving  occasion,  which  will  be 
the  2Gth  instant,  or  any  time  after,  when  you  can  best 
be  spared. 

"This  day  is  the  anniversary  of  your  mother's  birth, 
and  she  has  entered  upon  her  sixtieth  year.  Should  I 
live  until  February,  I  shall  reach  sixty-two,  and  yet  I  do 
not  relax  from  my  former  exertions.  I  preach  every  Sab- 
bath, and  attend  several  meetings  each  week,  in  different 
parts  of  the  town.  All  this  I  shall  not  be  able  to  do 
long." 

".Vov.  17,  1829. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"As  I  love  to  gratify  my  children,  by  writing  to  them, 
I  again  take  up  my  pen  to  address  a  few  lines  to  you ;  and 
I  desire  to  be  thankful,  that  I  have  no  heavy  tidings  to 
communicate.  We  are  all  yet  spared,  monuments  of 
divine  mercy,  and  we  are  also  favored  with  comfortable 
health.  Greatly  are  we  reduced  in  number,  which  ren- 
ders us  rather  lonely.  I  know  that  we  who  have  so  long 
stood  at  the  head  of  this  family,  must  expect  to  diminish 
in  activity  and  influence ;  but  I  hope  the  blessing  of  God 
will  descend  upon  our  children.  You  are  the  only  one 
now  standing  at  the  head,  of  a  family.  I  feel  greatly 
23  * 


270 


MEMOIR  OF 


interested  in  you,  and  in  your  companion,  and  in  your 
little  daughter,  and  in  all  your  household.  I  long  to  have 
yours  a  house  of  prayer  and  of  religious  order.  Train 
up  your  child  for  God,  and  then  you  will  be  happy  in  her. 
Let  her  not  grow  up  ignorant  of  the  Bible,  nor  of  her 
Saviour.  She  is  now  in  the  forming  period  of  life,  and 
the  moral  influence  you  have  upon  her  is  amazing.  Do 
^peak  to  her  often  of  her  grandparents  at  L.,  as  well  as 
at  S.,  that  she  may  have  some  knowledge  of  us.  I  hope 
to  see  her  another  season,  if  the  Lord  will.  Give  our 
love  to  your  wife  and  to  E,  I  often  think  over  your 
family ;  and  I  remember  Miss  H.  and  E.,  to  whom  I  wish 
to  be  remembered." 

"  March  20,  18S0. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  This  day  is  the  anniversary  of  the  death  of  your 
brother  Charles,  and  yesterday  was  the  anniversary  of  the 
birth  of  your  dear  sister  Harriet.  Seventeen  years  have 
rolled  away  since  the  former  event  took  place,  which  was 
deeply  afflictive  ;  and  thirty-two  since  the  latter,  which 
was  very  joyful.  In  that  sister  of  yours,  I  had  comfort 
indescribable.  She  was  a  great  help  to  me  in  many 
respects.  The  evidence  of  her  piety  was  uncommonly 
clear,  and  she  was  remarkable  for  her  prudence  and  dis- 
cretion. I  often  sought  her  counsel  indiiectly,  when  she 
was  not  aware  of  it.  You,  my  son,  cannot  be  sensible  of 
the  strokes  which  have  come  upon  your  parents  in  the 
early  deaths  of  our  children,  though  you  have  not  been 
without  your  feelings. 

"  At  the  age  of  life  which  I  have  reached,  I  find  the 
number  of  my  early  friends  is  rapidly  diminishing.  The 
death  of  Esq.  B.  is  to  me  a  monitory  lesson.  I  knew  him 
when  I  was  a  youth.  We  commenced  public  life  near 
together.    He  was  a  lawyer,  and  I  was  a  schoolmaster. 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


271 


He  was  no  ordinary  man  in  old  Massachusetts,  for  he 
possessed  a  good  portion  of  the  puritanic  spirit ;  and,  at 
the  same  time,  was  a  man  of  a  higher  order  of  mind,  and 
of  more  solid  erudition,  than  most  of  his  cotemporaries. 
He  has  closed  life  at  the  age  of  sixty-five,  just  one  year 
after  judge  H.  Rev.  J.  Christmas  I  never  saw,  but  I 
esteemed  him  as  a  precious  man.  He  also  is  gone,  and  a 
great  breach  is  made  among  the  watchmen  in  New  York. 
I  thank  you,  my  son,  for  giving  me  such  early  notice  of 
the  mournful  event,  and  also  for  sending  the  masterly 
speech  of  W.  in  the  senate  of  the  United  States.  Mr.  W. 
is  a  prodigy  of  human  intellect.  He  would  make  the 
champions  in  the  British  parliament  tremble  ;  but  he  also 
must  bow  to  the  king  of  terrors.  '  The  tall,  the  wise,  the 
reverend  head,  must  lie  as  low  as  ours.' 

"  I  call  to  mind  no  minister  in  the  whole  State  of  New 
York,  who  has  so  long  officiated  in  one  place,  as  I  have 
in  this  town;  and  very  few  in  New  England.  This  is  to 
be  ascribed  to  a  kind  Providence,  and  not  to  any  wisdom 
of  mine.  1  have  nearly  completed  thirty-eight  years  of 
pastoral  duty.  The  Lord  has  given  me  an  influence  over 
this  people,  and  more  quiet  in  my  ministry,  than  is  usually 
enjoyed  by  my  brethren.  A  generation  is  coming  on, 
who  will  have  little  knowledge  of  Jlhe  efforts  I  have  made 
in  past  years,  and  by  whom  I  shall  probably  be  set  at 
nought.  But  I  desire  to  remember  the  words  of  Christ, 
'  Sufficient  unto  the  day  is  the  evil  thereof.' 

"  I  see  in  the  Observer,  that  Dr.  S.  has  been  delivering 
a  series  of  sermons  on  the  Sabbath,  of  which  you  have 
made  no  mention.  I  trust  you  are  a  constant  attendant 
on  .  his  meeting,  and  not  going  from  place  to  place,  and 
hearing  all  kinds  of  preaching.  Such  a  course  would  be 
dissipating  to  the  mind.  I  hope,  my  son,  you  are  atten- 
tive to  business,  and  rising  in  weight  of  character." 


272  ■  MEMOIR  OF 

''March  25,  1830. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  Your  kind  letter  of  the  19th  inst.  I  received  yester- 
day. It  gave  me  joy  to  hear  of  the  health  of  your  family, 
and  especially  that  our  little  grandson  was  living,  and 
making  progress  in  flesh  and  stature.  He  has,  it  seems, 
a  name,  to  which  I  hope  he  may  be  an  honor.  When 
you  was  one  of  my  numerous  family,  you  had  no  concep- 
tion of  the  care  and  anxiety  of  your  parents.  Now  you 
are  beginning  to  learn  by  experience.  It  was  my  study 
to  impress  on  the  minds  of  my  children  a  spirit  of  subor- 
dination, and  to  be  known  as  the  head  of  the  family.  I 
never  kept  a  rod  in  my  house,  yet  I  would  have  my  chil- 
dren obey  me.  I  presume  you  have  no  recollection  of 
my  ever  correcting  you,  but  you  was  taught  to  mind  me 
early,  before  you  had  numbered  two  years.  In  guiding 
my  children,  I  was  greatly  aided  by  the  daily  return  of  the 
morning  and  evening  sacrifice,  which  you  never  knew  me 
to  omit.  In  this  service  you  ought  to  engage,  if  you  mean 
to  have  a  well  regulated  family. 

"  The  Lord  yet  favors  us  with  health.  We  send  much 
love  to  you  and  your  wife  and  children.  I  forget  none  of 
the  family  anniversaries,  and  never  fail  of  mentioning 
them.  Yesterday  was  the  anniversary  of  the  birth  of 
Charles  and  yourself  You  are  now  thirty,  and  have 
reached  the  age  of  your  brother  Alvan." 

[To  liis  son-in-law.] 

"Jubj  5,  1830. 

'<  Dear  Son, 

"  When  I  returned  from  the  west,  I  found  your 
mother  more  feeble  than  common.  A  week  ago  this 
morning,  I  called  to  see  her,  when  she  was  nearly  con- 
fined to  her  bed,  but  perfectly  rational,  and  ready  to 
express  her  love  to  the  Saviour,  and  her  hope  of  accept- 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


273 


ance  on  account  of  his  mediation  and  righteousness.  She 
was  cahn  and  resigned — spoke  of  the  approaching  com- 
munion with  great  interest,  but  concluded  she  should  not 
be  able  to  attend.  She  continued  gradually  to  fail  through 
the  week ;  but  yet  not  so  sick  as  to  have  a  watclier  until 
Friday  night.  On  Saturday  she  was  inclined  to  a  stupor, 
which  became  alarming,  yet  had  her  senses  perfectly,  and 
said  she  heard  every  word  of  the  prayer  I  offered.  I  saw 
her  again  Sabbath  morning,  at  the  rising  of  the  sun.  It 
was  then  with  difficulty  that  I  could  arouse  "her  so  as  to 
be  conscious  of  any  thing ;  but  when  I  did,  she  knew  me. 
I  now  told  her  that  the  Lord  was  about  to  take  her  to 
himself,  and  asked  her  if  we  should  unite  once  more  in 
prayer.  She  opened  her  eyes,  and  with  a  smiling  look 
replied,  O  yes.  We  attempted  to  commit  her  soul  to 
God.  She  appeared  to  listen  for  a  few  moments,  but  the 
flesh  was  weak.  Before  the  prayer  was  closed,  she  be- 
came entirely  insensible.  She  has  never  spoken  since, 
nor  has  she  swallowed  even  any  liquids  for  many  hours. 
We  none  of  us  expected  that  she  could  live  until  this 
morning,  but  she  still  breathes.  Probably  this  is  the  last 
day  of  her  life.  It  is  a  very  trying  time  at  your  father's 
house.  Your  father  and  brothers  and  sisters  are  in  the 
furnace  of  affliction,  while  you  have  no  knowledge  of  their 
case.  Your  father  appears  as  calm  as  could  be  expected, 
while  he  sees  the  companion  of  his  youth,  and  his  nearest 
earthly  friend,  in  this  dying  state.  Your  sister  II.  is 
almost  overwhelmed  with  the  scene.  And  I  know  I 
am  now  communicating  heavy  tidings  to  you  and  your 
brother  and  sister.  May  the  Lord  sustain  you  all,  and 
prepare  you  for  the  events  of  his  holy  providence.  You 
are  about  to  part  with  the  best  of  mothers.  We  all 
esteem  her,  and  know  not  how  to  spare  her ;  but  the 
Lord  reigns." 


274 


MEMOIR  OF 


"  Od.  22,  1830. 

"  My  very  dear  Son, 

"  I  rejoice  to  learii  that  your  time  passes  pleasantly, 
and,  as  you  think,  profitably.  I  see  you  have  enough  to 
do,  and  I  entreat  you  to  make  yourself  master  of  every 
recitation  and  every  book  to  which  you  turn  your  attention. 
Let  your  books  for  private  reading,  be  well  selected,  and 
then  aim  to  understand  them.  Avoid  works  of  mere 
imagination,  for  they  are  not  favorable  to  the  discipline  of 
the  mind.  Labor  for  solid  literature.  Form  habits  of 
punctuality,  and  be  always  seasonable  at  the  recitation- 
room,  and  at  the  morning- and  evening  prayers.  I  hope 
you  will  persevere  in  early  rising,  and  that  tardiness  in 
you  will  never  be  marked  by  the  faculty.  In  these  things 
I  was  always  particular  at  college,  and  the  habits  there 
formed  have  had  an  influence  on  all  my  subsequent  life. 

"  It  is  gratifying  to  be  informed,  that  H.  has  noticed 
you,  as  he  is  a  youth  of  uncommon  promise,  correct  in 
his  deportment,  studious  in  his  habits,  and  taking  a  right 
course  to  be  not  only  a  useful  but  a  distinguished  man. 
Such  associates  are  of  great  worth,  in  forming  a  character ; 
but  after  all,  the  Bible  furnishes  you  with  the  best  model. 
Read  the  life  of  Daniel,  and  of  Joseph,  and  see  how  they 
were  influenced,  in  all  their  movements,  by  the  fear  of 
God.  I  am  also  gratified  to  learn  that  C.  has  joined  our 
college,  and  sincerely  hope  he  will  never  regret  the  choice 
he  has  made  between  the  institutions  he  has  visited,  and 
the  more  so,  as  you  say  he  was  somewhat  influenced  by 
my  advice. 

"  Memento  lavare  denies.  Be  frugal  of  your  expenses, 
as  I  have  many  to  help.  Keep  your  boots  and  shoes 
clean,  your  room  neat,  and  every  thing  about  you.  A 
pure  mind  will  always  tend  to  a  pure  exterior.  Do  not  be 
unmindful  of  your  Bible  a  single  day.  Salute  for  me  C, 
I.,  C,  &c.  Accept  much  love  from  us  all.  Write  as 
often  as  once  in  two  weeks." 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


275 


"  Dec.  25,  1830. 

"  My  dear  Son^ 

"Your  short  letter,  by  Mr.  I.,  was  handed  to  me 
last  evening,  and  one  previously  by  Mr.  B.  I  thank  you 
for  the  history  of  the  MS.  committed  to  your  care,  of 
which  I  was  before  entirely  ignorant.  I  have  sent  copies 
of  the  essay  to  my  friends  in  every  direction,  and  from 
some  of  them  have  had  returns,  expressing  entire  appro- 
bation, particularly  from  Dr.  P.  I  thank  you  also  for 
your  attention  to  your  brother  T.'s  business,  and  for  the 
good  advice  given  him.  I  am  not  a  little  gratified  to 
notice  proofs  of  your  promptness  and  particularity  in  the 
execution  of  what  is  committed  to  your  trust.  If  the 
same  runs  through  all  your  concerns,  I  think  you  will  not 
fail  of  having  the  confidence  of  those  to  whom  you  are 
known. 

"  The  death  of  your  cousin  J.  F.,  is  an  instructive 
providence.  L.  A.  early  apprised  me  of  his  sickness, 
which  in  its  commencement  was  a  slow  fever,  but  in  the 
last  stage  of  it,  was  distressing  in  the  extreme,  being 
emaciated  to  a  mere  skeleton.  His  mother  was  with  him 
constantly  five  or  six  weeks  ;  his  anxious  father,  though 
often  there,  was  not  present  when  he  died.  L.  has  given 
me  no  information  respecting  the  state  of  his  mind,  as  the 
parents  had  not  returned  when  she  last  wrote.  He  ex- 
pired the  loth  inst.,  and  his  remains  were  entombed  the 
17th.  His  parents,  S.  B.  and  C,  were  present  to  witness 
the  heart-rending  scene.  I  have  written  a  letter  of  con- 
dolence to  the  afflicted  family,  knowing  myself  what  it  is 
to  drink  deep  of  such  a  cup  of  sorrow,  and  that  repeatedly. 
This  event  has  brought  fresh  to  my  mind  the  heavy 
and  inexpressible  trials  I  was  called  to  endure,  in  the 
sickness  and  death  of  Lucy  and  Chauncey.  Your  dear 
sister  languished  and  expired  at  the  house,  and  as  it  were, 
in  the  arms  of  those  now  afflicted  parents.    I  feel  for 


276 


MEMOIR  OF 


them  ;  I  pity  them  from  my  heart.  J.  had  the  fairest 
prospects  of  any  of  their  sons,  and  they  doted  upon  him 
in  their  dechning  years.  He  associated  with  Unitarians, 
and  suffered  himself  to  be  ignorant  of  the  only  way  of 
salvation.  Twice  he  visited  us,  and  I  was  pleased  with 
his  activity,  his  intelligence,  and  his  politeness,  but  when 
I  introduced  the  all-important  subject  of  religion,  he  was 
silent.  He  has  gone  into  eternity  !  O,  my  dear  son, 
profit  by  this  solemn  warning.  I  entreat  you  with  all  the 
solicitude  of  a  parent,  to  take  your  stand  on  the  side  of 
Christ,  and  be. his  decided  friend  and  follower,  while  you 
have  health,  and  while  you  are  yet  a  youth.  Look  at  the 
character  of  T.  F." 

"Jan.  9,  1831. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  Your  very  acceptable  letter  of  the  22d  ult.,  re- 
lieved all  our  minds  from  much  anxiety.  I  could  not 
account  for  your  long  silence,  after  you  had  been  written 
to  by  your  mother  and  myself,  without  being  brought 
to  the  conclusion,  that  you  must  be  too  much  enfee- 
bled, by  your  excessive  labors,  to  write  a  letter.  But 
I  desire  to  be  thankful  that  my  fears  were  ground- 
less, and  that  you  speak  of  your  health  as  being  uncom- 
monly good,  and  that  you  exercise  much  care  to  preserve 
it.  Many  a  young  man  has  found  an  early  grave,  in 
consequence  of  imprudence,  or  neglecting  to  take  proper 
care  of  himself,  before  his  constitution  liad  acquired  ma- 
turity and  firmness.  Do  not  forget,  my  son,  that  you 
have  been  raised  from  a  state  of  great  debility,  and  be 
ready  to  acknowledge  your  debt  of  gratitude  to  your 
Maker. 

"  It  is  highly  gratifying  to  me,  to  notice  in  your  letters 
such  expressions  of  respect  and  tenderness  for  your  pa- 
rents, and  such  solicitude  for  their  comfort  and  happiness 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


277 


in  their  lonely  state.  If  my  children  desire  to  smooth  my 
path,  as  I  go  down  the  steep  of  age,  they  have  only  to  be 
virtuous,  affectionate,  and  the  decided  friends  of  the  Lord 
Jesus.  So  far  as  I  know,  my  sons  are  all  considered  as 
moral  and  reputable  in  society;  but  I  wish  to  see  in 
them  something  more  than  all  this.  I  long  to  see  them 
active  Cliristians,  members  of  the  family  of  the  Re- 
deemer, and  walking  in  all  the  ordinances  of  the  gospel. 
Though  you  have  left  your  father's  ministry  and  house., 
you  have  a  fair  opportunity  to  be  that  active  Christian, 
which  I  want  you  to  be.  Your  situation  is  more  fa- 
vorable than  that  of  any  of  my  absent  sons.  I  plead 
with  you  not  to  misimprove  your  privileges  and  oppor- 
tunities. You  have  many  valuable  friends  in  A.,  who 
would  rejoice  with  me  to  see  you  among  the  followers  of 
Jesus  Christ.  It  seems  you  adhere  to  the  old  society, 
and  take  an  active  part  in  their  singing,  even  to  officiate 
as  chorister.  I  hope  you  will  do  honor  to  the  station ; 
but  you  must  be  careful  not  to  sing  too  much.  I  regret 
that  you  have  not  yet  formed  any  acquaintance  with  Mr. 
H.,  to  whotn  I  would  send  salutations  if  you  was  known 
to  him.  There  will  be  more  stability  of  character,  and 
more  doctrinal  knowledge,  in  tliat  society,  than  in  the 
new." 

"/an.  17,  1831. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  Though  letters  received  from  your  hand  are  '  few 
and  far  between,'  I  desire  to  furnish  continued  proof  that 
you  are  not  long  out  of  the  mind  of  your  father,  and  that 
I  feel  a  deep  interest  in  your  little  family.  I  recollect 
putting  into  your  hands,  when  you  was  last  under  the 
parental  roof,  a  book  on  family  religion,  which  I  ardently 
hoped  you  and  your  wife  would  read  with  attention,  and 
which  might  be  the  means  of  inducing  you  to  erect, 
24 


278 


MEMOIR  OF 


without  delay,  an  altar  in  your  house.  When  I  think  of 
the  reasonableness  of  this  duty,  and  of  the  immense 
importance  of  it  to  your  dear  children  growing  up  around 
you,  and  forming  characters  under  the  influence  of  your 
example,  I  feel  that  you  must  be  prevailed  upon  to  walk 
in  the  steps  of  faithful  Abraham.  Perhaps  you  have 
already  begun  to  call  upon  God  in  your  family.  If  you 
have,  I  rejoice,  and  would  encourage  you  to  persevere. 
If  you  have  not,  I  entreat  you  not  to  delay  the  perform- 
ance of  a  duty,  which  is  so  calculated  to  promote  the  best 
interest  of  your  household. 

"Not  long  since,  I  sent  you  some  tracts  to  be  distrib- 
uted, and  I  should  be  pleased  to  know  whether  they 
reached  you,  and  whether  they  met  a  welcome  reception. 
I  also  wish  to  know  whether  your  wife  has  united  with 
the  church  at  P.  My  son,  how  important  that  you  should 
go  with  her,  and  encourage  her  heart.  Present  much 
love  to  her  and  your  children  from  your  parents.  Tell 
the  little  ones  that  we  remember  them,  and  greatly  wi>-h 
to  see  them. 

"  What  astonishing  events  are  taking  place  in  Europe? 
Who  can  foresee  the  result  of  these  mighty  revolutions? 
Our  own  country  is  in  a  very  critical  state.  We  are 
divided  among  ourselves,  and  like  to  be  inundated  by  the 
Roman  Catholics,  whose  influence  is  greatly  to  be  dreaded. 
One  source  of  comfort  is  always  left,  viz.,  the  reins  of 
government  are  in  God's  hands." 

"Feb.  18,  1831. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  You  have  been  absent  from  us  almost  two  weeks, 
and  I  must  say  that  I  greatly  miss  you  in  the  family  circle. 
The  alleviating  consideration  in  view  of  being  separated, 
is,  that  you  are  prosecuting  your  studies,  acquainting  your- 
self with  the  sciences,  and  laying  a  foundation  for  future 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


279 


usefulness  in  the  church.  At  the  present  time  I  am  not  a 
little  comforted  with  the  thought,  that  you  are  residing  in 
a  place  where  God  is  pouring  out  his  Holy  Spirit.  I  hope 
Williams  college  will  share  largely  in  this  work,  and  that 
you,  my  dear  son,  will  become  the  willing  and  obedient 
subject  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  who  died  for  you.  I  am  com- 
pelled to  say,  that  I  have  had  many  anxieties  on  your 
account,  as  you  have  appeared  to  manifest  so  little  con- 
cern for  your  immortal  interest.  Redeem  time  to  attend 
religious  meetings,  and  to  be  better  acquainted  with  your 
heart.  Despise  not  the  great  offer  of  pardon  and  eternal 
life,  freely  made  to  you  on  the  condition  of  forsaking  your 
sins.  You  never  will  find  true  peace,  until  you  prefer 
Christ  above  every  thing  in  this  world.  I  do  hope  to  hear 
of  your  becoming  his  decided  friend. 

'•There  is  increasing  attention  in  this  town,  and  since 
you  left,  several  have  begun  to  rejoice  in  pardoned  sin. 
On  the  day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  last  Thursday,  the 
meeting-house  was  full.  All  our  meetings  since  have 
been  thronged  and  solemn.  Last  evening,  I  held  a  meet- 
ing at  the  house  of  Mr.  O.  He  has  been  in  trouble  of 
mind  for  a  week.  He  trembled  in  view  of  his  situation 
like  a  reed  shaken  with  the  wind.  When  I  spoke  to  him 
after  meeting,  he  cried  out,  as  would  a  little  child  with  a 
limb  broken,  and  it  affected  all  the  assembly.  I  have  not 
heard  from  him  this  morning. 

"  On  my  return  from  the  meeting,  I  was  told  that  Mr. 
F.'s  house  was  consumed  by  fire  towards  evening  yester- 
day. I.  have  not  as  yet  learned  any  particulars,  how  it 
caught  fire,  nor  whether  little  or  much  of  his  effects  were 
saved.  I  greatly  fear  he  has  lost  his  library.  It  is  indeed 
a  heavy  calamity.  The  family  are  deprived  of  a  dwelling 
in  this  inclement  season,  and  are  greatly  to  be  pitied. 
They  must  be  assisted.  Possibly  you  may  be  the  first  to 
inform  his  son  of  the  distressing  event.    You  will  do  it 


280 


MEMOIR  OF 


soon,  and  communicate  the  intelligence  in  a  proper 
manner. 

"  Your  class-mate  H.,  is  well,  and  very  attentive  to  his 
business.  lie  appears  to  be  an  upright  man,  and  if  he 
lives,  will  do  much  good  in  the  world.  I  wish  you,  my 
son,  to  write  me  more  frequently  than  you  did  the  last 
term,  and  let  your  letters  carry  marks  of  attention  to  com- 
position, penmanship,  and  orthography.  You  know  I  take 
pleasure  in  looking  them  over  with  reference  to  all  these 
things.  Be  particular  with  respect  to  the  revival,  and  the 
state  of  college.    Let  all  your  wants  be  known." 

"Feb.  18,  1831. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  I  thank  you  for  your  good  letter,  by  Mr.  S.,  and 
for  Dr.  F.'s  discourse  which  accompanied  it.  The  peru- 
sal of  the  discourse  affected  me  very  unpleasantly,  and  I 
conclude  you  could  not  have  expected  it  would  have  my 
approbation.  I  must  say,  that  I  have  now  a  much  less 
favorable  opinion  of  the  author,  than  I  had  before,  and 
his  having  been  so  much  noticed  and  caressed,  is  to  be 
lamented.  He  openly  and  strenuously  avows  and  defends 
Arminianism,  in  its  full  length  and  breadth.  He  writes  as 
if  he  expected  to  be  believed  by  all  his  readers,  and  with 
an  air  of  triumph.  But,  my  son,  I  trust  the  discourse  will 
not  shake  your  belief  in  the  great  doctrines  of  the  Bible. 
This  will  be  a  popular  book  among  the  enemies  of  the 
cross  of  Christ,  and  I  have  no  doubt  it  will  be  industri- 
ously circulated.  Its  errors  ought  to  be  exposed,  and,  I 
think,  will  be. 

"  There  is,  most  evidently,  the  commencement  of  a 
revival  of  religion  in  this  town,  indications  of  which  I 
have  seen  for  four  weeks.  On  Thursday  of  last  week,  we 
observed  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer.  The  meeting-house 
was  full  and  the  assembly  solemn.    I  am  in  a  meeting 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


281 


attempting  to  instruct  and  guide  the  people  almost  every 
evening  in  the  week.  Several  are  rejoicing  in  hope,  and 
some  who  appeared  to  he  very  far  from  righteousness.  It 
is  a  time  of  great  interest  with  us,  and  yet  a  critical  time. 
It  requires  great  wisdom,  much  patience,  and  more 
strength,  than  I  now  possess,  to  meet  all  the  exigencies  of 
such  a  time.  The  prospect,  however,  is  now  fair,  tliat  we 
may  have  another  harvest  of  souls.  The  attention  to 
religion  is,  at  this  time,  great  at  Williamstown.  I  have 
just  finished  a  letter  to  A.,  entreating  him  to  take  refuge 
in  Christ,  while  he  is  so  near.  The  city  of  New  York  is 
also  visited  by  the  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  It  is  my 
earnest  prayer,  that  J.  may  now  be  called  into  the  king- 
dom." 

^  March  2i,  1831. 

"My  very  dear  Son, 

*'  I  received  your  letter  of  the  20th  inst.  in  due  time, 
and  it  was  cheering  to  my  heart,  though  you  give  me 
no  information  respecting  the  state  of  your  own  mind, 
at  this  interesting  time.  Have  H.,  and  D.,  and  H.,  and 
many  others,  named  in  your  letter,  chosen  the  good 
part  and  resolved  to  devote  themselves  to  Christ,  and  can 
you  withhold  your  own  heart?  My  son,  be  wise  and  no 
longer  hesitate,  when  Christ  calls  so  loudly  to  you,  and 
with  such  a  melting  voice.  Delay  not  to  submit  yourself 
to  him,  while  he  is  so  near,  drawing  reluctant  hearts  to 
him.  Can  you  ever  expect  a  more  favorable  time  1  On 
reading  this  letter,  retire  and  fall  on  your  knees  and  plead 
with  him  to  forgive  your  ingratitude,  your  unbelief,  and 
hardness  of  heart.  Hearken  to  the  entreaties  of  a  father, 
and  spend  at  least  one  hour  in  looking  seriously  at  your 
case,  and  in  begging  for  mercy.  Though  your  exterior 
has  been  regular,  yet  if  your  heart  is  not  humbled  and 
sanctified,  and  if  your  whole  dependence  is  not  placed  on 
24  * 


282 


MEMOIR  OF 


Christ,  you  are  in  a  wretched  condition.  How  can  you 
escape,  if  you  neglect  so  great  salvation? 

"  It  is  a  most  interesting  time  in  this  town.  The  ex- 
citement is  great  almost  beyond  a  parallel.  My  labors 
are  incessant.  I  usually  attend  three  meetings  every  day, 
and  they  are  thronged  and  very  solemn.  The  church  and 
anxious  sinners  follow  me  from  one  neighborhood  to  another. 
The  number  of  converts  I  will  not  presume  to  state  with 
accuracy.  I  should  think,  however,  not  less  than  fifty 
have  expressed  a  hope,  and  the  most  of  them  belong  to 
the  factories,  and  are  transient  persons.  It  has  been  with 
us  a  continued  Sabbath  for  many  weeks.  Last  evening 
Mr.  F.  preached  for  me,  which  is  the  first  help  I  have  had 
from  neighboring  ministers,  by  way  of  preaching.  Hith- 
erto I  have  been  remarkably  sustained,  and  I  have  thought, 
guided  also  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  in  my  movements  and 
multiplied  labors." 

"^;?n7  12,  1831. 

"  My  very  dear  Son, 

"  I  seize  a  leisure  moment,  amidst  my  pressing  cares 
and  labors,  to  address  a  few  lines  to  you,  and  to  thank  you 
for  your  letter  of  last  week.  I  rejoice  to  hear  that  the 
revival  in  college  had  received  a  new  impulse.  You  speak 
of  others  as  having  bowed  to  the  sceptre  of  our  blessed 
Lord,  but  you  are  silent  respecting  the  state  of  your  own 
feelings.  Can  you,  my  son,  be  an  unfeeling  spectator  of 
the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  of  the  great  change 
wrought  in  your  associates,  bringing  them  into  the  king- 
dom of  light  ?  Can  you  be  indifferent,  v,  hen  you  think 
of  the  wide  separation  which  commences  between  those 
who  enter  into  the  kingdom,  and  those  who  remain  in 
unbelief?  It  is  a  tremendous  separation,  because  it  will 
be  widening  forever.  I  entreat  you,  as  a  tender  father,  to 
suffer  nothing  to  hinder  you  from  turning  your  undivided 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


283 


attention  to  the  state  of  your  soul.  Enter,  while  there  is 
room,  and  while  the  Spirit  strives  so  powerfully,  and  while 
so  many  of  your  friends  are  entering.  You  have  been 
almost  persuaded,  and  half  resolved,  long  enough.  Should 
you  let  this  precious  opportunity  pass  unimproved,  the 
effect  on  your  mind  will  be  lamentable.  You  will  prob- 
ably feel  a  discouragement  and  fall  into  darkness,  of 
which  you  now  have  no  conception.  Seclude  yourself 
from  the  world  for  one  day  at  least,  and  look  into  the  state 
of  your  heart.  Give  yourself  to  Christ.  Beg  of  him  to 
forgive  your  apathy  and  ingratitude,  and  to  receive  you, 
as  one  who  deserves  not  the  least  favor.  To  stand  all  the 
day  idle,  in  this  time  of  harvest,  is  more  than  unreasonable 
— it  is  madness.  You  would  consider  it  in  this  light,  if 
you  only  viewed  things  as  they  are.  I  will  address  you  in 
the  language  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  the  ungrateful  Jews, 
'  Why  will  you  die  1 '  My  son,  I  deal  thus  plainly  with 
you,  because  you  are  very  dear  to  me.  My  bowels  yearn 
over  you.  I  have  now  no  child  who  openly  professes  faith 
in  Christ,  and  it  is  sometimes  an  overwhelming  thought. 
J.  and  E.  live  where  God  is  now  pouring  out  his  Spirit  in 
a  powerful  manner.  I  hope  they  will  be  made  willing,  in 
this  day  of  God's  power,  to  exchange  the  perishable  objects 
of  this  world  for  an  interest  in  Christ.  W.  has  a  good 
deal  of  feeling  at  this  time,  and  his  letters  are  uncommonly 
interesting. 

"  The  revival  continues  in  this  place.  More  than  fifty 
have  attended  the  meetings  of  young  converts.  I  attend 
meetings  every  evening,  and  many  in  the  daytime,  and 
yet  I  have  some  strength  left.  The  Lord  has  remarkably 
sustained  me." 

April  2\,  1831. 

"  My  very  dear  Son, 

"  Yours  of  the  14th  inst.  I  received  yesterday.  I 
never  was  more  overcome  with  joy,  on  reading  a  letter 


284 


MEMOIR  OF 


from  any  of  my  children.    You  have  been  much  on  my 
mind,  all  winter,  especially  since  hearing  of  the  revival  in 
A.    Often  have  I  attempted  to  pray  for  you,  and  in  all 
our  meetings  many  fervent  supplications  have  been  offered 
up  by  the  members  of  the  church  for  the  children  of 
their  pastor.    It  was  known  that  three  of  you  were  living 
in  places,  where  the  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit  were 
shed  down,  in  copious  showers.    I  have  hoped  and  trem- 
bled for  you,  well  knowing  that  such  seasons  have  an  as- 
tonishing influence  on  the  minds  and  future  prospects  of 
those  who  witness  them.    When  I  came  to  the  expression 
in  your  letter,  '  I  hope  I  have  found  my  Saviour,'  I  was 
obliged  to  stop,  and  give  vent  to  my  feelings.    I  could  not 
proceed  for  some  time.    Tears  of  joy  gushed  from  my 
eyes.    Your  mother  wept.    I  called  for  T.    We  all  sat 
down  in  silence.    At  length  I  read  the  whole  letter ;  and 
then  we  fell  down  on  our  knees,  and  gave  thanks  to  God 
for  the  joyful  tidings  he  had  sent  to  us,  an  unworthy  family. 
It  has  been  a  humiliating  thought  to  me  for  a  long  time, 
that  I  had  no  child  to  pray  for  me,  in  my  declining 
years — none  to  accompany  me  to  the  table  of  the  Lord — 
none  to  take  an  active  part  in  building  up  the  kingdom 
of  the  Redeemer.    JMy  dear  son,  if  you  have  found  the 
Saviour,  you  have  found  the  '  pearl  of  great  price.'  The 
whole  world,  if  made  over  to  you,  would  be  as  nothing 
compared  with  this.    Give  God  all  the  glory,  for  you  have 
resisted  much  light  and  instruction,  and  many  entreaties. 
Now,  I  trust,  you  will  seek  your  happiness  in  serving  the 
Lord.    Be  an  active,  yet  humble  Christian.    I  will  say  to 
you,  as  I  do  to  the  young  converts  here.  It  is  of  vast  im- 
portance to  your  growth  in  grace  and  your  usefulness,  that 
you  early  form  good  Christian  habits — such  as  constancy 
in  prayer,  and  a  daily  and  careful  perusal  of  the  word  of 
God.    I  rejoice  to  hear  of  your  praying  in  the  meetings  of 
young  men.  O  that  you  may  be  guided  by  the  Holy  Spirit 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


285 


in  all  your  movements.  I  thank  your  friend,  Mr.  S.  for 
all  his  faithfulness  to  you.  Present  my  salutations  to  him. 
May  the  Lord  reward  him  tenfold. 

"  J.  and  A.  I  hope  and  pray  will  be  brought  into  the 
kingdom.  Do  write  to  them,  and  beseech  them  to  aban- 
don their  pride,  and  rise  up  and  follow  Christ. 

"  We  have  had  a  very  interesting  time  in  Lee,  for  two 
months,  and  I  have  been  laboring  night  and  day,  attend- 
ing generally  as  many  as  twelve  meetings  between  the 
Sabbaths.  More  than  fifty  have  attended  the  meetings  of 
young  converts. 

"  I  want  to  see  you  more  than  I  ever  did,  and  feel  a 
disappointment  that  you  conclude  not  to  come  home  this 
spring.  The  death  of  J.  B.,  Jr.  is  very  affecting — but 
wisely  ordered. 

"  Your  mother  and  brother  unite  in  much  love  to  you, 
with  your  ever  affectionate  father." 

"^jriZ  27,  1831. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

I  have  received  a  letter  from  your  brother  E.  which 
lias  occasioned  more  joy  in  my  heart  than  all  his  flattering 
worldly  prospects,  and  more  than  all  the  temporal  favors  I 
ever  received  in  my  life  ;  because,  if  he  is  not  deceived,  he 
has  been  brought  into  possession  of  an  inheritance,  which 
is  permanent,  which  will  be  always  increasing,  and  en- 
dure forever.  I  have  no  time  to  write  to  you,  at  any 
length,  on  this  interesting  intelligence  ;  but  I  will  send 
you  a  short  extract  from  his  letter,  that  you  may  see  how 
he  feels,  and  why  my  heart  is  filled  with  joy.  '  The  Lord 
is  carrying  on  a  great  work  in  this  place,  and  I  rejoice  in 
telling  you  that  I  hope  I  have  found  my  Saviour.  Oh,  the 
pride  of  my  heart  I  trust  has  been  subdued — but  God's 
Spirit  strove  with  me  many  days  before  I  was  willing  to 
give  myself  up  into  his  arms.    It  was  indeed  a  struggle  for 


286 


MEMOIR  OF 


me  to  give  up  the  world,  and  the  pleasures  of  it,  and  hum- 
bly imploring  God's  forgiveness,  and  promising  that  the 
rest  of  my  life  should  be  spent  in  his  service.  I  desire  to 
be  thankful  that  God  has  spared  me  as  long  as  he  lias  ;  and 
now  I  am  determined  no  longer  to  serve  the  great  enemy 
of  souls,  but  to  glorify  God  the  rest  of  my  days.  I  never 
knew  what  pleasure  there  was  in  prayer,  until  within  a 
week.  It  is  my  soul's  delight  to  come  before  God  on  my 
knees,  and  implore  his  Spirit  to  rest  upon  me.  I  some- 
times feel  that  it  is  all  my  su])port,  and  I  do  hope  ray 
prayers  have  been  heard  in  heaven.  IIow  many  souls 
have  been  lost,  by  the  pride  of  the  heart !  I  am  convinced 
that  it  was  my  pride  that  prevented  my  willingness  to  be 
on  the  Lord's  side,  for  I  have  long  known  the  path  of  duty. 
It  is  strange  to  me,  that  under  all  the  instruction  I  have 
received,  I  have  not  seen  the  lovely  character  of  God,  as 
I  now  think  I  do.  I  want  very  much  to  see  you  to  tell 
you  how  much  I  have  disregarded  your  pleadings.' 

"  His  letter,  a  whole  sheet,  closely  written,  is  filled  with 
such  language,  and  not  a  word  on  his  business,  or  any 
worldly  subject.  His  heart  is  full.  I  pray  God  to  sanctify 
this  interesting  intelligence  to  your  soul.  You  have  long 
hesitated,  doubted  and  delayed,  and  kept  yourself  unhappy, 
when  you  might  have  had  the  satisfaction  of  doing  much 
for  Christ," 

''Jpril  29,  1831. 

"My  very  dear  Son, 

"I  thank  you  for  your  letter  of  the  25th  inst.,  which 
I  rec€ived  yesterday.  When  I  broke  the  seal,  I  said 
within  my  heart,  O  that  A.'s  letter  may  afford  me  the 
same  joy  which  his  brother  E.'s  did,  received  a  few  days 
before.  Never  was  I  so  overwhelmed  with  joy,  on 
perusing  any  letter  from  my  sons.  E.  hopes  he  has  found 
Jiis  Saviour,  after  a  severe  struggle  with  the  pride  of  his 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


287 


heart.  He  is  now  very  clear  in  his  views,  and  wonders 
he  never  before  discerned  the  loveliness  of  God's  char- 
acter, and  the  happiness  there  is  in  drawing  near  to  God 
in  prayer.  His  heart  is  full  of  joy  and  peace  in  believing. 
It  melted  my  heart  in  noticing  his  humble  confessions  to 
me,  for  turning  a  deaf  ear  to  my  counsels.  He  is  now 
active  in  the  cause  of  Christ — prays  in  the  meetings  of  the 
young  men  in  the  village,  and  of  the  young  converts,  of 
whom  there  are  one  hundred  and  fifty.  That  .son  appears 
to  feel  on  the  subject  of  religion,  just  as  I  want  all  my 
sons  to  feel.  He  is  convinced — he  is  decided — he  is  deter- 
mined to  devote  the  remainder  of  his  days  to  the  service 
of  God.  He  says,  he  thinks  A.  must  now  come  out  from 
the  world,  as  God  is  pouring  out  his  Spirit  upon  the 
college.  I  want  you  should  read  all  he  has  written,  and 
I  trust  you  will  have  the  opportunity  in  a  few  days.  You 
intimate  that  there  is  a  decrease  of  attention  and  solemnity 
in  college,  and  it  is  painful  to  hear  of  it.  Y.,  it  seems,  has 
disappointed  the  hopes  of  his  friends,  and  is  running  a  sad 
career.  My  son,  I  entreat  you  not  to  let  such  occurrences 
have  the  least  bearing  in  your  view,  on  the  importance  of 
religion.  They  have  often  taken  place  in  our  fallen  world, 
and  are  calculated  to  make  all  spectators  cautious,  and  to 
look  well  to  their  foundation.  Even  in  the  days  of  the 
apostles,  there  were  some  apostates,  as  Simon  the  sorcerer. 
But  the  foundation  of  God  standeth  sure. 

"  I  perceive  an  evident  decline  of  attention  in  this  town, 
but  I  hope  the  Holy  Spirit  has  not  wholly  forsaken  us. 
Several  have  been  examined,  and  will  be  received  on  the 
approaching  Sabbath.  Many  more,  I  trust,  will  come 
forward  in  due  time." 

"■Juhjl,  1831. 

"  My  very  dear  Son, 

"I  duly  received  your  letter  of  the  24th  ult.,  and 
now  thank  you  for  it.    In  your  prosperity,  both  temporal 


288 


MEMOIR  OF 


and  spiritual,  I  feel  greatly  interested.  You  have  given 
me  a  statement  of  your  situation,  as  to  outward  things, 
and  I  am  pleased  with  your  arrangement,  all  things  con- 
sidered, and  think  that  the  distance  of  your  boarding- 
house  may  be  conducive  to  your  health.  There  will  be 
no  need  of  other  exercise.  I  hope  you  will  not  be  seen 
with  the  ball-club  in  your  hand  this  summer.  Find  your 
pleasure  and  amusement  in  your  books.  While  vou  aim 
to  be  a  thorough  classical  scholar,  and  entire  master  of  all 
your  recitations,  you  must  read  what  you  can  ;  but  not 
works  of  imagination.  Be  very  choice  in  the  selection  of 
your  books,  and  as  you  read,  take  time  to  reflect.  What 
is  excellent,  as  to  style,  labor  to  imitate.  Let  all  your 
compositions  be  the  result  of  close  study  and  much  care. 
If  you  find  it  very  difficult  to  satisfy  yourself,  and  have 
patience  to  write  and  re-write,  to  expunge,  add  and  alter, 
as  you  transcribe,  I  shall  hope  you  will  eventually  excel. 

"  I  watch  for  some  expression  of  the  state  of  your  feel- 
ings, in  all  your  letters.  I  wish  you  were  more  frank  to 
disclose  to  your  father  the  state  of  your  mind,  in  relation 
to  the  great  subject  of  religion.  Here  is  my  greatest 
solicitude  for  you.  My  son,  let  me  have  the  joy  of  em- 
bracing you  as  a  disciple  of  Christ." 

"August  10,  1831. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  Yours  of  the  5th  inst.,  reached  me  yesterday,  and 
has  been  perused  with  pleasure.  I  rejoice  to  hear  of  the 
health  of  your  family,  and  that  E.  remembers  lier  friends 
and  her  visit  in  New  England.  We  often  speak  of  your 
dear  children,  and  lament  that  they  have  not  the  privilege 
of  being  trained  up  where  the  worship  of  God  is  regularly 
maintained  on  the  I'cturn  of  the  Sabbath.  To  make  up 
this  defect,  as  far  as  possible,  you  and  your  dear  compan- 
ion must  be  the  more  devoted  to  their  religious  education. 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


289 


Let  them  see  you  reverence  the  Sabbath,  and  let  them 
early  have  the  impression,  that  you  value  the  word  of  God 
above  any  thing  in  this  world.  Read  it  daily  before  them, 
and  be  not  unmindful  of  the  duty  of  praying  with  and  for 
them.  E.  is  now  a  proper  subject  of  daily  instruction. 
Teach  her  the  catechism  as  I  taught  you,  and  in  a  short 
time  she  will  aid  you  in  teaching  the  little  son  who  bears 
my  name.  My  elder  children,  now  no  more,  were  a  great 
help  to  me  in  training  up  the  younger,  when  they  were 
insensible  of  it.  This  was  especially  true,  in  the  case  of 
your  dear  sister  Harriet.  You  say  not  a  word  about 
going  with  your  family,  or  any  part  of  them,  to  Palmyra 
to  hear  the  word  of  God  preached,  nor  do  I  know  whether 
E.  has  united  with  that  church.  You  know  I  have  been 
very  desirous  of  having  her  walk  with  the  people  of  God, 
and  of  having  you  appear  openly  with  her  on  the  side  of 
Christ. 

"  Your  brothers  continued  under  the  parental  roof 
one  week,  and  J.  and  his  wife  some  days  longer.  The 
visit  was  very  interesting  to  your  parents.  We  are 
much  pleased  with  the  appearance  of  our  new  daughter, 
J.'s  wife.  She  is  modest,  unassuming,  and  hopefully 
pious.  It  is  the  understanding  fully,  that  she  will  attend 
Dr.  S.'s  meeting,  and  become  a  member  of  his  church. 
The  assurance  she  gave  me  of  doing  this  was  very 
gratifying  to  my  mind.  W.  and  E.  both  led  repeatedly  in 
the  devotions  of  the  family.  They  also  prayed  in  our 
religious  meetings.  I  called  my  neighbors  to  my  house 
one  evening,  while  your  brothers  were  here,  and  we  spent 
the  time  in  prayer  and  singing  praises  to  God.  This  I 
called  the  second  day  wedding." 

"^ug.  25,  1831. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  Yours  of  the  20th  inst.  I  have  received  and  read 
with  avidity,  as  I  do  all  the  letters  I  receive  from  you  and 
25 


290 


MEMOIR  OF 


your  brothers.  The  interest  I  feel  in  the  prosperity  of 
my  children,  is  very  great.  Of  this  I  am  sensible,  every 
time  I  open  a  letter  from  any  one  of  them.  A  kind  of 
solicitude  which  is  indescribable,  is  at  once  awakened  in 
my  breast  as  I  break  the  seal.  I  think  of  your  health, 
which  is  easily  impaired,  and  of  the  multitude  of  ways  by 
which  your  characters  may  be  tarnished,  and  your  pros- 
pects for  usefulness  darkened.  The  most  of  your  brothers 
have  come  on  to  the  stage  of  life,  and  are  establishing,  to 
say  the  least,  decent  reputations.  Two  of  them,  W.  and 
E.,  have  cheered  my  heart  very  much,  by  the  open  and 
decided  part  they  are  beginning  to  take,  with  respect  to 
the  kingdom  of  Christ.  You,  my  dear  son,  are  yet  in  the 
forming  period,  in  a  very  critical  age  ;  and  being  asso- 
ciated with  the  students  of  college,  surrounded  with  a 
thousand  dangers.  In  some  unguarded  moment,  you  may 
be  drawn  away  from  the  instruction  and  counsel  you  have 
received,  and  find  your  mind  corrupted,  and  your  morals 
debased.  My  son,  watch  and  pray,  and  read  the  word  of 
God,  that  you  may  not  be  thus  ingulfed  in  the  vortex  of 
vice  seen  at  every  college.  I  repeat  what  I  have  often 
said,  that  you  cannot  be  too  careful  in  selecting  your  com- 
panions. While  you  extend  civility  to  all,  see  that  you 
do  not  establish  habits  of  intimacy  with  any  who  are 
suspected  to  be  loose  in  sentiment  and  practice.  Every 
person  is  known  by  the  company  he  keeps. 

"  With  all  the  tenderness  of  a  father,  I  entreat  you  to 
be  wise — to  establish  the  character  of  a  sober  youth — to 
be  diligent  in  the  improvement  of  your  time — to  be 
thorough  in  getting  your  recitations,  that  you  may  come 
out  a  good  classical  scholar — to  be  punctual,  as  you  know 
your  father  has  always  been,  in  every  thing  expected  of 
you — to  give  yourself  to  reading,  by  picking  up  the  frag- 
ments of  time  ;  and  not  to  read  novels,  lest  you  form  a 
bad  taste,  but  to  read  that  which  will  enlarge  and  improve 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


291 


your  mind,  and  make  you  better.  Above  all,  I  entreat 
you  to  give  your  heart  to  Christ." 

"  Aug.  27,  1831. 

"  My  very  dear  Son, 

"  In  the  morning  of  this  day  I  vrrote  you  a  short  let- 
ter to  forward  by  Mrs.  L.,  expecting  she  would  leave  early. 
Since  I  closed  it,  your  letter,  filled  with  expressions  of 
filial  affection  and  tenderness,  has  reached  me.  I  thank 
you  very  much  for  this  token  of  love,  which  almost  melted 
my  heart.  But  before  I  had  perused  the  one  half  of  your 
sheet,  my  solicitude  on  account  of  your  health  was 
increased  to  a  great  degree.  I  regretted  that  when 
you  was  here,  apparently  convalescent,  you  did  not  tarry 
longer.  The  present  state  of  your  health  requires  imme- 
diate attention,  and  entire  relinquishment  of  business  for 
a  time.  You  must  not  even  think  of  continuing  under 
that  weight  of  care  which  now  devolves  upon  you,  as  your 
health  now  is,  lest  you  soon  fall  a  victim  to  disease.  It  is 
a  duty  you  owe  to  yourself,  to  your  aged  parents,  and  to 
all  your  relatives,  and  now  to  the  church,  to  relax  imme- 
diately from  business,  and  devote  yourself  to  the  restora- 
tion of  your  health.  You  ought  not  to  regard  any  worldly 
sacrifice  you  may  be  called  to  make,  in  checking  the  pro- 
gress of  that  disease  with  which  you  are  attacked.  The 
delay  of  one  week  may  be  of  great  consequence.  I  think 
it  expedient  for  you  to  come  directly  to  your  parents, 
under  whose  roof  you  know  you  can  be  retired  from  the 
world,  have  good  air,  good  food,  and  kind  attention.  All 
this,  I  know,  may  fail  of  restoring  you.  We  are  always, 
and  altogether,  dependent  on  God's  blessing ;  yet  it  is  our 
duty  to  use  means,  and  then  leave  the  event  with  Him, 
who  orders  all  things  well.  I  hope,  my  dear  son,  you  feel 
all  this,  and  that  you  consider  submission  to  the  divine 
will  your  duty  and  privilege.     If  you  feel  rather  better 


292 


MEMOIR  OF 


than  you  have  done,  still  you  had  better  leave  your  busi- 
ness for  a  season,  and  come  to  your  father's  house,  and 
bring  the  cloak  with  your  own  hands,  as  Paul  directed  in 
one  of  his  letters.  You  have  now  presented  to  vou  the 
feelings,  the  anxieties,  and  the  advice  of  your  father  and 
mother.  I  once  more  commend  you,  my  dear  son,  to  the 
mercy  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  subscribe  myself,  as 
ever,  your  affectionate  father." 

«  Oct.  21,  1831. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  I  thank  my  friend  Dr.  O.,  for  taking  the  pains  he 
has  to  look  you  up.  He  has  once  more  presented  to  you 
directly  the  subject  of  entering  into  covenant  with  God, 
before  the  world.  You  are  called  upon,  by  this  proposi- 
tion, to  take  your  stand.  A  decision  must  now  be  made, 
whether  you  will  be  for  or  against  Christ.  Too  long  have 
you  already  doubted  with  respect  to  a  duty  of  the  highest 
importance.  It  has  been  the  means  of  keeping  you  in 
the  dark,  and  influenced  you  to  shape  your  course,  as  you 
otherwise  would  not  have  done.  My  son,  the  only  way  to 
have  spiritual  enjoyment,  is  to  be  faithful  and  obedient  to 
God.  Every  step  you  take  in  the  service  of  Christ,  from 
a  desire  to  honor  him,  will  increase  your  evidence  and 
your  peace  of  mind.  How  full  of  important  meaning  are 
the  following  words  of  Christ — '  If  any  man  will  do  his 
will,  he  shall  know  of  the  doctrine,'  &c.  Religion  is  a 
practical  thing.  You  could  not  expect  to  have  bright 
evidence  of  your  good  estate,  in  the  course  you  have 
taken.  Your  indecision  on  this  subject  has  been  some- 
what alarming  to  me,  because  I  have  marked  your  prompt- 
ness and  decision  in  other  matters,  involving  consequences 
infinitely  smaller.  But  I  have  been  sensible  for  some 
time  past,  that  if  brought  to  the  trial,  you  would  determine 
to  go  forward.    The  incipient  step  towards  entering  the 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


293 


fold  of  Christ,  I  trust,  is  already  taken.  If  there  is  a 
spark  of  grace  in  your  heart,  it  will  now  begin  to  kindle, 
like  fire  which  has  long  been  covered,  when  furnished 
with  fuel.  Be  humble,  be  active,  but  not  enthusiastic. 
Nothing  will  balance  the  mind,  and  preserve  from  enthu- 
siasm, like  a  clear  view  of  divine  truth.  May  the  Holy 
Spirit  guide  you  in  the  great  undertaking  before  you. 

"  The  paper  you  conduct  I  receive  regularly,  and  it 
more  than  answers  my  expectations.  It  advocates  good 
things,  and  will  be  patronized  and  be  useful.  Show  your- 
self a  chaste  editor.  So  far  you  have  had  nothing  to  do 
with  foolish  anecdotes." 

[To  bis  son's  wife.] 

"  Od.  31,  1831. 

"  My  dear  Daughter, 

"  Your  letter  of  the  20th  inst.  came  safely  to  your 
new  parents,  and  has  been  perused  with  much  pleasure. 
We  thank  you  for  the  kind  and  affectionate  manner  in 
which  you  speak  of  your  visit  at  the  house,  where  your 
husband  first  breathed  the  breath  of  life,  and  where  the 
years  of  his  childhood  and  youth  were  watched,  and  all 
hi.s  movements  guided,  by  those  whom  you  now  address 
as  parents.    I  have  now  a  new  correspondent,  endeared 
to  me,  not  by  long  acquaintance,  and  the  strong  ties  of 
nature,  as  in  the  case  of  my  dear  deceased  daughters,  but 
by  being  brought  into  a  union  with  a  much  beloved  son. 
Fully  aware  that  his  hnppiness  and  usefulness  must  very 
much  depend  on  your  being  to  him  an  amiable,  discreet, 
and  judicious  companion,  I  ardently  hope  and  pray  that 
you  may  be  such.    It  has  afforded  me  much  pleasure  to 
notice  not  only  the  spirit  of  friendship  but  of  piety,  which 
your  letter  breathes.    When  I  conversed  with  you  here, 
your  language  evinced  an  acquaintance  both  with  the 
precious  truths  of  God's  word,  and  with  the  religion  of 
25  * 


294 


MEMOIR  OF 


the  heart.  The  same  things  appear  in  your  letter.  It  is 
a  blessing  too  great  to  be  estimated,  to  have  a  son  so 
closely  united  with  one,  who  is  a  disciple  of  the  meek  and 
lowly  Saviour.  May  your  mind  be  richly  imbued  with 
the  spirit  of  Him,  who  gave  his  life  a  ransom  for  us.  I 
fondly  cherish  the  hope,  that  you  rnay  be  the  humble 
instrument  of  winning  your  husband  to  enlist  under  his 
banner.  This  would  greatly  increase  your  own  happi- 
ness, and  add  unspeakably  to  our  joy. 

"  My  son  W.  has  come  to  the  important  decision,  that 
he  will  consecrate  his  time,  his  talents,  and  his  all,  to 
Christ,  and  I  suppose  intends  making  a  public  profession 
of  religion  on  the  next  Sabbath.  E.,  you  know,  has 
already  taken  this  step. 

"  I  now  commend  you  and  your  husband  to  the  guid- 
ance and  keeping  of  Him,  by  whose  providence  you  are 
constantly  sustained,  and  subscribe  myself  your  affection- 
ate father." 

"Jan.  25,  1832. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  It  is  seldom,  indeed,  that  I  hear  any  thing  from 
you  and  your  dear  family,  though  I  feel  deeply  interested 
in  your  prosperity.  Not  a  day  passes,  however,  when 
you  are  not  in  my  mind.  If  you  sliould  write  oftener, 
you  would  please  me  better.  Death  has  made  such 
ravages  in  our  country,  since  the  commencement  of  cold 
weather,  especially  among  children,  that  I  have  thought 
much  of  your  little  ones,  and  of  the  severe  trials  which  a 
holy  Providence  might  bring  upon  you  and  your  compan- 
ion, as  well  as  upon  other  parents.  Instances  liave  been 
frequent,  where  two  and  three  children,  in  one  family, 
have  fallen  victims  to  the  prevailing  diseases.  I  pray 
God  to  prepare  you,  by  his  grace,  to  sustain  all  the  trials 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


295 


of  life.  My  dear  children,  do  not  be  so  unkind  to  your- 
selves as  to  provoke  God  to  come  out  against  you,  by 
neglecting  him  and  casting  off  his  fear.  Train  up  your 
beloved  and  promising  children  to  fear  the  Lord,  to  rever- 
ence the  Sabbath,  and  to  be  obedient  to  you.  They  will, 
then,  rise  up  and  call  you  blessed. 

"  The  winter,  thus  far,  has  been  with  us  uncommonly 
severe  ;  but  we  have  not  suffered,  because  we  have  had  a 
plenty  of  good  wood,  and  have  proportioned  our  fire  to 
the  intensity  of  the  cold.  Besides  preaching  every  Sab- 
bath, I  have  generally  attended  meetings  four  evenings 
each  week,  and  frequently  five.  I  go,  as  formerly,  to 
every  district  in  the  town.  From  this  you  will  infer  that 
my  health  and  strength  are  continued.  I  can  endure 
more  in  tlic  winter  than  in  the  summer.  Your  mother  is 
now  comfortable,  though  she  has  been  unwell,  and  has 
been  kept  from  meeting  a  number  of  Sabbaths.  She 
never  goes  out  to  evening  meetings.  The  subject  of 
religion  is  regarded  here  with  considerable  interest  yet, 
and  for  some  time  past,  with  increased  interest.  I  feel 
that  I  must  make  great  efforts,  or  the  adversary  will  get 
an  advantage.  The  factories  occasion  a  great  influx  of 
irreligious  people,  and  many  foreigners." 

"  March  8,  1832. 

"  My  very  dear  Son, 

"  I  have  delayed  writing  to  you  much  longer  than  I 
intended,  when  yon  went  away,  and  there  has  been  a 
special  reason  for  it.  I  was  severely  attacked  with  the 
bilious  colic  soon  after  you  left  us,  and  endured  ex- 
treme pain  for  twenty  hours,  before  I  obtained  the  least 
relief.  No  medicine  seemed  to  take  hold,  and  indeed  it 
was  difficult  to  retain  any  in  my  stomach.  Never  did  I 
experience  such  a  sudden  prostration  of  strength.    I  did 


296 


MEMOIR  or 


not  walk  as  far  as  the  gate,  for  a  fortnight,  yet  I  rode  to 
the  meeting-liouse  every  Sabbath,  and  guided  the  religious 
exercises;  and  on  one  of  the  Sabbaths,  administered  the 
Lord's  supper  to  the  church.  In  this  time  I  was  unable 
to  take  up  my  pen,  and  wrote  no  letters.  Since  last 
Friday,  I  have  been  regaining  my  health  and  strength. 
On  Tuesday,  I  rode  to  P.,  to  attend  the  installation  of 
Mr.  Y.,  to  whom  I  gave  the  charge.  There  I  saw  Mr.  G., 
but  he  knew  nothing  about  you. 

"  I  have  been  admonished,  by  this  sickness,  that  I  am 
a  frail  man,  and  must  soon  go  the  way  of  all  the  earth. 
In  my  distresses  I  often  thought  I  should  never  see  you 
again,  and  my  other  absent  children — but  God  has  gra- 
ciously spared  me.  I  hope  this  correction  will  be  sancti- 
fied to  me  and  to  us  all. 

"I  received  a  few  lines  from  you,  by  Mr.  L.,  but  where 
you  board  I  know  not,  as  you  had  not  then  decided.  Do 
write  me  soon,  and  let  us  know  every  thing  respecting 
your  situation,  your  health,  your  studies,  your  hopes  and 
your  fears.  Remember,  my  dear  son,  that  you  are  living 
for  eternity,  and  now  passing  through  the  most  interesting 
period  of  your  life.  The  character  is  formed,  and  the 
habits  generally  fixed,  in  this  period.  O  be  wise,  and 
and  make  my  heart  glad.  Nothing  do  I  desire  so  much, 
in  respect  to  my  children,  as  to  have  them  become  the 
followers  of  Christ.  You  are  now  forming  a  character  in 
college.  If  you  are  a  thorough  student,  it  will  be  known, 
and  you  will  be  respected  ;  if  you  are  idle,  superficial 
in  your  studies,  and  not  diligent  and  persevering  in  your 
researches  after  classical  and  general  knowledge,  your 
deficiencies  will  soon  be  known,  and  it  will  operate  greatly 
to  your  disadvantage.  I  hope  you  will  be  influenced  to 
do  well,  in  all  respects,  and  be  one  of  the  bright  orna- 
ments of  your  alma  mater." 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


297 


"March  19,  1832. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  I  thank  you  for  your  interesting  letter  of  tlie  15th 
instant.  The  account  you  gave  of  the  meeting  at  L.,  and 
particularly  of  the  sermons  of  Dr.  H.,  I  read  with  attention 
and  pleasure.  Powerful  as  was  his  instruction,  and 
solemn  as  were  his  appeals  to  the  consciences  of  sinners, 
there  was  no  efficiency  in  them  to  remove  or  lessen  the 
depravity  of  the  heart.  The  conversion  of  men  from  sin 
to  holiness  is  the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Of  this  im- 
portant truth,  people  in  general,  and  even  the  ministers  of 
Christ,  are  in  great  danger  of  losing  sight,  and  when  this 
is  the  fact,  they  rely  on  their  own  efforts,  measures  and 
management,  and  the  Spirit  of  God  is  grieved,  and  the 
results  are  unhappy.  There  may  be  great  excitement, 
and  many  spurious  conversions,  but  time  will  show  that  it 
was  the  work  of  man,  and  not  the  work  of  the  Lord. 

"  In  my  late  sickness,  which  was  the  bilious  colic,  I 
endured  more  severe  pain,  and  my  strength  was  more 
completely  prostrated,  than  has  been  the  case  with  me  for 
forty  years.  I  did  not  walk  as  far  as  my  gate  for  a 
fortnight;  yet  I  was  conveyed  to  the  meeting-house,  every 
Sabbath,  on  the  day  of  the  sacramental  lecture,  and  when 
we  had  the  concert  in  music,  and  guided  the  meetings. 
Through  the  mercy  of  God,  I  am  now  free  from  disease, 
and  have  nearly  recovered  my  strength.  O  that  I  may 
suitably  improve  this  dispensation  of  providence. 

"The  decision  of  the  supreme  court  of  the  United 
States,  in  favor  of  the  missionaries,  filled  my  heart  with 
joy.  I  desire  to  praise  God,  that  the  life,  and  health,  and 
intellect,  of  chief  justice  Marshall,  have  been  spared  to 
this  most  interesting  crisis  in  our  nation.  The  conse- 
quences of  the  decision  are  yet  to  be  developed.  All  our 
hope  must  be  in  Him  who  is  the  ruler  of  nations,  and 
who  has  hitherto  regarded  this  people  with  so  much 
favor. 


298 


MEMOIR  OF 


"I  have  had  a  visit  from  John  Ridge,  the  distinguished 
Cherokee  youth,  who  has  been  in  town  more  than  a  week. 
He  has  been  at  my  house  several  times,  and  spent  a  night 
with  us.  On  Friday  night  of  last  week,  I  called  the 
people  together  to  hear  him  give  a  statement  of  the  suffer- 
ings of  his  nation.  The  meeting-house  was  full  above 
and  below.  He  spoke  more  than  an  hour  with  great 
fluency  and  pertinency,  and  not  only  kept  his  large 
audience  still,  but  excited  deeper  and  deeper  interest 
as  he  progressed.  I  have  been  astonished  to  see  how 
much  general  knowledge  he  has  treasured  up.  He  under- 
stands the  characters  of  all  our  public  men,  and  has  a 
view  of  all  their  movements.  He  is  of  the  age  of  your 
brother  J.,  and  straight  as  an  arrow." 

[To  his  son's  wife.] 

"  March  26,  1832. 

"  My  dear  Daughter, 

"  Your  very  acceptable  letter  of  the  12th  inst.  came 
safely  to  hand.  It  was  truly  a  cordial  to  me,  at  a  time 
when  I  stood  in  great  need  of  it,  having  been  nearly  con- 
fined by  sickness,  for  a  number  of  weeks,  and  called  to 
endure  much  bodily  pain.  This  rod  was  laid  upon  me 
the  beginning  of  the  present  month.  During  the  fore- 
part of  the  winter,  I  had  been  remarkably  healthy  and 
vigorous,  and  never  performed  more  ministerial  labor,  in 
any  period  of  my  ministry.  Notwithstanding  the  severity 
of  the  cold,  I  attended  no  less  than  five  meetings,  in  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  town,  between  each  Sabbath,  and  the 
most  of  these  were  in  the  evening.  At  tlie  time  referred 
to,  I  was  suddenly  attacked  by  the  bilious  colic,  and  was 
twenty  hours  in  extreme  pain,  before  any  medicine  used 
had  the  least  effect,  and  even  then  the  relief  was  only 
partial.  I  have  not  had  my  strength  so  completely  pros- 
trated for  forty  years.    For  two  weeks,  I  did  not  walk  as, 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


299 


far  as  my  gate,  yet  I  was  conveyed  to  the  meeting-house 
every  Sabbath,  and  on  several  other  occasions,  and  guided 
the  religious  exercises  of  the  sanctuary.  It  seemed  at 
times  that  the  Lord  designed  to  remove  me  from  my  labors 
and  from  this  world,  nor  could  I  indulge  a  murmuring 
thought,  if  it  was  his  pleasure  to  do  it.  When  my  health 
and  strength  began  to  return,  your  kind  letter  was  brought 
to  me,  and  it  came  in  a  good  time.  It  was  a  great  help 
to  me.  I  felt  a  desire  to  bless  God,  that  though  he  had 
taken  to  himself  both  of  my  daughters,  with  whom  I  once 
delighted  to  correspond,  he  had  given  me  another,  who 
could  write  to  me  so  feelingly  on  the  interesting  subject 
of  religion,  and  be  an  instrument  of  comforting  my  mind 
in  the  day  of  adversity. 

"  I  rejoice  to  hear  you  have  become  a  member  of  Dr.  S.'s 
church,  and  ardently  hope  you  will  be  a  devoted  disciple 
of  Christ,  and  a  bright  ornament  among  the  sisters  of  that 
communion.  Why  did  not  my  beloved  son,  your  husband, 
embrace  the  favorable  opportunity  then  presented  to  him, 
and  consecrate  himself  to  the  service  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  ?  Repeatedly  did  I  remind  him  of  what  he  ought 
to  do,  and  not  suffer  the  interesting  crisis  to  pass  unim- 
proved. The  importance  of  religion  he  has  always  readily 
acknowledged,  and  he  has  appeared  to  have  correct  views 
of  the  v.  ay  of  salvation.  How  much  it  would  add  to  your 
happiness,  to  the  happiness  of  his  parents,  who  gave  him 
up  to  God  and  nurtured  him  in  his  tender  years,  and  to 
his  own  happiness,  if  he  were  the  decided  friend  of  Christ! 
I  do  not  despair  of  having  in  him  this  blessing,  You  are 
both  remembered  daily  at  the  throne  of  grace.  On  Sat- 
urday evening,  the  article  in  the  Christian  Spectator, 
Vol.  iv.  No.  1 ,  relating  to  the  life  and  death  of  Mr.  A. 
Pettingell,  was  read  in  the  family,  to  which  I  attended 
with  deep  interest.  When  the  reading  was  finished,  my 
first  words  were,  O  that  J.  could  have  opportunity  to 


300 


MEMOIR  OF 


read  this !  His  mother  responded  in  unison  with  iny 
remark.  Perliaps  he  will  read  it,  and  doubtless  Dr.  S. 
takes  the  work,  from  whom  he  might  have  the  loan  of 
the  book." 

«  March  29,  1832. 

"  My  very  dear  Son, 

"  I  thank  you  for  the  interesting  letters  you  have  re- 
cently written  to  us,  the  last  of  which  was  dated  the  ]2th 
inst.  I  feel  it  to  be  a  mercy,  that  God  disposes  you  to 
remember  your  parents,  from  whom  you  have  long  been 
separated,  with  so  much  tenderness  and  filial  affection. 
Especially  do  I  feel  it  to  be  a  mercy  unspeakable,  that  I 
may  regard  you  as  a  spiritual  child,  renewed  in  the 
temper  of  your  mind,  and  living  with  reference  to  the 
%vorld  of  light  and  glory.  Your  last  letters  seemed  to 
furnish  increasing  evidence  of  your  keeping  in  view  the 
solemn  vows  which  you  have  taken  upon  yourself.  When 
you  approach  the  mercy  seat,  as  a  suppliant,  bear  on 
your  mind  the  case  of  your  parents,  in  their  declining 
years,  and  of  your  brothers,  some  of  whom  are  presuming 
to  live  without  an  interest  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

"  The  connection  which  you  have  formed  with  Miss 
W.  and  the  prospect  of  your  taking  her,  as  the  com- 
panion of  your  joys  and  sorrows,  while  performing  your 
pilgrimage  on  earth,  has  presented  a  subject  to  my  mind 
of  deep  interest.  I  perceive  from  your  letters,  that  she 
has  your  affections,  and  that  you  regard  her  as  being 
truly  pious  and  much  devoted  to  the  cause  of  Christ.  To 
be  united  with  a  companion  who  has  commenced  the 
Christian  race,  is  a  blessing  which  cannot  be  sufficiently 
appreciated.  I  certainly  can  have  no  objection  to  your 
marrying,  if  you  are  only  wise  in  your  choice,  and  see 
your  way  to  support  a  family.  I  have  a  distinct  recol- 
lection of  Miss  W.,  and  of  your  accompanying  her  to  H.  ; 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


301 


but  I  had  not,  at  the  time,  the  remotest  idea,  that  the 
connection  now  contemplated  would  ever  be  formed.  I 
trust  we  shall  all  prize  her  highly,  when  we  have  op- 
portunity to  become  acquainted  with  her.  And  when, 
my  son,  will  that  be?  When  do  you  think  of  being 
united  in  the  bonds  of  matrimony  ?  On  this  part  of  the 
subject,  you  have  been  silent.  In  your  next,  I  hope  you 
will  be  more  explicit,  and  let  us  know  all  your  heart,  re- 
specting the  time  and  place  of  the  solemnization  of  the 
union  of  your  hearts. 

"  I  hope  you  will  give  us  opportunity  to  see  you  under 
the  parental  roof,,  this  spring.  We  have  your  portrait, 
and  highly  value  it,  but  we  want  to  look  upon  the  origi- 
nal." 

"  April  9,  1832. 

"  My  very  dear  Son, 

"I  have  received  many  letters  from  you,  and  have 
always  read  them  with  avidity,  and  have  been  gratified 
with  the  expressions  of  filial  affection  and  respect,  but  I 
have  ardently  desired  to  see  something  more  in  them. 
They  have  not  breathed  the  spirit  of  the  letters  which 
have  recently  been  written  by  your  brothers  W.  and  E. 
But  your  last,  received  on  Saturday,  gave  me  more  joy 
than  all  the  letters  which  I  have  ever  before  received  from 
you.  I  have  no  language  to  express  the  feelings  excited 
in  my  breast,  as  I  progressed  in  the  reading  of  your 
communication.  When  1  came  to  the  clause, '  My  desire 
and  purpose  is  to  glorify  God,M  could  read  no  further, 
without  lifting  up  my  soiil  to  the  Father  of  all  mercies  in 
an  offering  of  praise  and  thanksgiving.  Nor  was  I  dis- 
appointed to  hear  you  say,  '  You  had  seen  enough  to 
know  youf  heart  is  deceitful  above  all  things  and  desper- 
ately wicked.'  I  rejoice,  my  dear  son,  that  you  have  seen 
something  of  the  exceeding  wickedness  of  your  heart. 
26 


302 


MEMOIR  OF 


If  the  Lord  has  opened  your  eyes,  you  will  see  yet  more 
of  it,  and  feel  more  and  more  the  perisliing  need  in  which 
you  stand  of  a  Saviour.  Where  could  such  an  ungrateful, 
self-blinded  creature,  as  you  have  found  yourself  to  be, 
look,  but  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  for  relief,  for  pardon, 
and  acceptance  ?  What  a  glorious  way  of  salvation  the 
gospel  proposes!  How  exactly  suited  to  the  condition  of 
ruined  men !  You  know  I  once  cherished  a  faint  hope  in 
your  case,  but  the  evidence  did  not  increase  with  your 
years.  If  your  heart  is  now  renewed  by  the  Holy  Spirit, 
you  will  condemn  yourself,  not  as  "being  a  small  sinner, 
but  a  great  sinner,  for  you  have  resisted  great  light,  and 
much  importunity.  You  will  feel  humble,  the  law  you 
have  broken  will  appear  infinitely  holy,  and  Christ  will 
appear  very  precious.  You  will  no  longer  shun  the  com- 
pany of  devoted  Christians,  but  you  will  desire  to  be  with 
them,  and  you  will  take  up  any  cross  to  honor  your  divine 
Redeemer.  The  Bible,  which  I  fear  you  have  criminally 
neglected,  will  unfold  to  you  wondrous  things,  such  as 
will  dispose  you  to  read  it  with  interest. 

"I  rejoice  to  hear  that  B.  has  also  chosen  the  good 
part.  This  event  you  ought  to  regard  as  a  great  blessing 
to  you.  Now,  I  presume,  you  have  begun  to  pray  together 
in  your  room,  and  to  take  a  part  in  the  religious  exercises 
in  college.  My  dear  son,  set  out  in  the  Christian  race 
aright,  and  follow  on  to  know  the  Lord.  Keep  in  view 
your  entire  dependence  on  God,  and  shrink  not  from  the 
discharge  of  any  duty.  Resolve  to  form  good  Christian 
habits,  that  your  growth  in  grace  may  be  promoted.  The 
adversary  will  prevent  your  pressing  forward,  and  being 
faithful  to  yourself  and  others,  if  he  possibly  can.  Suffer 
not  yourself  to  be  ignorant  of  his  wiles.  Devote  yourself 
to  the  great  and  good  work  of  the  ministry  with  all  your 
heart,  and  let  not  your  mind  be  wavering.  I  have  at- 
tempted to  renew  the  dedication  of  you  to  God  in  the 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


303 


service  of  liis  Son.  I  suggest  only  one  thing  more  at  the 
present  time,  and  I  wish  you  to  carry  the  subject  and 
spread  it  before  your  heavenly  Father ;  and  that  is,  that 
you  publicly  espouse  the  cause  of  Christ,  at  a  proper  time, 
and  not  delay.  Under  existing  circumstances,  it  may  pos- 
sibly be  expedient  for  you  to  do  it  during  the  next  vaca- 
tion, and  while  at  home.    May  the  Lord  direct." 

£To  his  son-in-law.] 

'     •  April  10,  1832. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  Yesterday  was  brought  to  me  a  letter  from  your 
hand  to  your  brother  L.,  containing  the  afHictive  intelli- 
gence of  the  sudden  death  of  your  wife.  That  holy  God, 
with  whom  you  profess  to  be  in  covenant,  has  seen  fit  to 
lay  his  chastening  rod  upon  you  and  your  family  repeatedly. 
I  hope  you  have  an  abiding  conviction  that  he  does  all 
things  well,  and  that  however  dark  and  mysterious  his 
providential  dealings  may  appear,  as  they  pass,  they  are 
the  result  of  infinite  wisdom  and  goodness.  I  mourn  with 
you ;  I  pity  you  ;  I  have  tried  to  pray  for  you  and  your 
bereaved  children.  I  cannot  say  that  I  feel  exactly  as  I 
did  when  my  dearly  beloved  daughter,  your  first  Com- 
panion, died.  She  was  endeared  to  me  by  many  strong 
ties,  and  after  she  left  the  parental  roof,  was  my  faithful 
correspondent.  Her  memory  is  still  precious.  She  was 
the  mother  of  a  child,  rendered  dear  to  me,  not  only  by 
the  ties  of  nature,  but  by  the  care  I  had  of  her,  and  the 
many  anxieties  I  endured  on  her  account,  in  the  first  years 
of  her.  life,  when  she  was  unconscious  of  the  great  loss 
she  had  sustained.  With  your  late  companion  I  had 
little  acquaintance.  I  rejoice  to  learn  from  your  letter, 
that  she  departed  this  life  rejoicing  in  God  her  Saviour. 
What  more  could  you  ask  for  ?  Though  in  the  midst  of 
her  days,  she  had  finished  her  work.  No  more  had  she 
to  do  for  you,  or  for  the  motherless  children.    The  Lord 


304 


MEMOIR  OF 


who  gave  )'ou  this  companion  has  taken  her  to  himself, 
and  if  her  heart  was  united  to  the  blessed  Saviour,  her 
condition  is  far  better  now,  than  when  she  was  with  you, 
engaged  in  caring  for  things  temporal.  Submit  to  the 
will  of  God,  he  knows  what  will  promote  the  best  interest 
of  your  family,  better  than  you  do.  Let  not  this  provi- 
dence, though  deeply  afflictive,  unfit  you  for  any  duty. 

"I  have  for  several  weeks  past  thought  of  writing  to 
you,  on  the  subject  of  Lucy's  coming  down  this  spring, 
and  going  to  school.  It  is  nearly  two  years  since  I  have 
seen  her.  I  took  up  my  pen  for  that  purpose,  yesterday, 
before  your  letter  was  brought  to  me,  but  was  interrupted 
by  company.  She  needs  greater  advantages  than  are 
afforded  at  the  common  district  schools,  which  are  gen- 
erally full.  Miss  K.,  of  B.,  has  a  select  school  of  young 
misses,  under  the  best  regulations,  and  favored  with  the 
best  of  instructipn.  She  will  take  a  great  interest  in  her, 
having  been  long  acquainted  with  my  family,  and  knew 
her  mother.  I  have  conversed  with  her  on  the  subject. 
Lucy  can  board  with  her  cousin,  Mrs.  W.,  and  lodge  with 
one  of  her  daughters,  who  is  a  pious  young  lady,  and  very 
discreet.  I  could  then  frequently  see  her,  and  extend 
some  watchful  care  over  her.  Or,  if  you  should  choose, 
she  can  attend  our  school,  and  board  with  us.  We  have 
a  select  school  for  smaller  scholars,  and  I  have  written  to 
my  son  S.,  to  bring  E.  down  to  attend  that,  and  we  have 
a  school  for  larger  scholars  of  both  sexes.  Write  me  as 
soon  as  you  can,  and  let  us  know  your  determination." 

«  Jlpril  27,  1832. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  I  thank  you  for  your  welcome  letter  of  the  17th 
instant.  Truly  I  can  say  I  feel  a  new  interest  in  your 
letters,  because  you  seem  to  dwell  upon  a  new  subject, 
and  one  which  ought  always  to  have  occupied  your 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


305 


thoughts.  They  are  not  only  the  letters  of  my  own  natu- 
ral son,  but  I  trust  of  a  spiritual  child,  endeared  to  jne  by 
a  new  tie,  and  if  real,  never  to  be  broken.  I  rejoice  to 
notice  the  remark  from  yaur  pen,  that '  the  Christian's  hap- 
piness, as  well  as  usefulness,  depends  much  on  an  elevated 
standard  of  piety,  and  that  this  standard  is  greatly  affected 
by  the  commencement  of  his  warfare.'  Let  this  truth 
have  daily  and  constant  influence  on  your  every  move- 
ment. See  that  you  do  not  follow  Christ  at  a  distance. 
Come  near  to  him  ;  never  be  ashamed  of  him  who  died 
for  you,  nor  backward  to  stand  in  your  lot  and  plead  his 
cause.  I  pray  God  to  make  you  a  faithful  follower  of  the 
Lamb,  an  humble  instrument  of  building  up  his  kingdom 
long  after  I  shall  have  done  with  earthly  scenes." 

"  May  U,  1832. 

"  My  very  dear  Son, 

"  I  suppose  you  have  had  much  to  divert  your  mind 
from  the  all-important  subject  of  religion,  as  you  have 
drawn  near  the  close  of  the  term.  But,  my  son,  you  must 
watch  and  pray,  as  the  Saviour  directed.  This  is  an  en- 
snaring world,  and  very  imposing,  as  viewed  in  some  situ- 
ations. Let  it  appear  as  it  may,  it  is  nothing,  compared 
with  an  interest  in  Christ.  I  hope  you  will  run  the  Chris- 
tian race  with  patience  and  delight.  Should  I  live  a  few 
years,  I  may  have  the  unspeakable  satisfaction  to  see  you 
invested  with  the  office  of  ambassador  of  the  Prince  of 
peace.  I  cannot  but  think  of  this,  though  it  may  never 
take  place,  and  though  if  it  should  take  place,  I  am  not  to 
see  it.  O  that  the  feeling  of  my  heart  may  be,  with  re- 
spect to  this,  and  every  other  thing,  '  Thy  will  be  done.'  " 

''July  11,  1832. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  I  wrote  you  a  fortnight  ago,  and  sent  the  letter  to 
Stockbridge,  to  be  forwarded  by  Mr.  F.,  of  New  York ; 
26  * 


306 


MEMOIR  OF 


but  I  suspect  it  has  never  reached  you,  or  you  would 
have  answered  it  before  this  time.  The  ravages  of  the 
cholera  in  our  land,  and  its  entrance  into  the  city  of  your 
abode,  have  filled  our  minds  with  anxiety  for  you,  and 
your  wife  and  child,  and  all  your  friends.  It  is  a  sore 
calamity  sent  upon  us  for  our  wickedness,  and  to  what 
e.xtent  it  may  be  suffered  to  rage,  the  Lord  only  knows, 
against  whom  we  have  sinned.  Our  only  safety  is  to 
break  off  from  our  transgressions,  and  turn  unto  him  by 
repentance.  I  think  it  will  be  expedient  for  you  to  leave 
the  city  with  your  little  family,  as  soon  as  possible,  and 
repair  to  the  mansion  where  you  commenced  your  exist- 
ence. We  are,  as  yet,  healthy  in  this  town,  and  we  have 
in  our  dwelling,  fine  air,  and  in  our  well,  pure  water, 
which  are  to  be  regarded  as  important  ingredients  for  the 
preservation  of  health.  But  I  am  aware  that  the  pesti- 
lence will  go,  where  the  Lord  sends  it.  3Iuch  pains  are 
taken  in  all  places,  to  remove  filth  of  every  kind,  and  to 
cleanse  what  is  visible  to  the  eye,  or  offensive  to  the 
senses.  All  this  is  well.  O  that  we  were  equally  vigi- 
lant to  remove  all  moral  pollution,  and  to  abandon  every 
thing,  in  thought,  word,  and  deed,  which  is  offensive  to 
infinite  purity.  So  far  as  I  can  learn,  people  of  dissi- 
pated habits  are  most  likely  to  fall  victims  to  the  '  pesti- 
lence that  walketh  in  darkness,  and  the  destruction  that 
wasteth  at  noonday.' 

"  On  Monday  evening  of  this  week,  a  minister  and  his 
wife,  directly  from  Albany,  called  on  us  to  partake  of  our 
hospitality.  Between  twelve  and  one,  I  heard  him  call 
loudly  and  earnestly  for  a  light  and  for  help,  saying  he 
believed  his  wife  was  dying.  I  was  soon  in  the  chamber 
with  a  light,  and  found  the  woman  entirely  insensible, 
breathing  laboriously,  and  frothing  at  the  mouth.  The 
first  thought  which  arose  in  my  mind,  was,  that  we  had  a 
case  of  cholera  under  our  roof    Theodore  ran  for  a 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


307 


doctor.  We  were  all  up,  throwing  water  in  her  face — her 
jaws  being  fast  closed — rubbing,  &lc.  I  said  nothing  to 
your  mother  respecting  my  fears,  till  she  herself  expressed 
the  same  thing.  We  had  some  hours  of  distress.  The 
stranger  remained  wholly  insensible  for  more  than  an 
hour,  when,  after  various  applications,  reason  began  to 
return ;  and  by  morning  light,  she  became  quiet  and 
calm.  Never  could  a  person  express  more  gratitude  than 
she  did,  for  our  kind  attention.  On  making  inquiries  of 
her,  I  found  she  had  suffered  all  the  afternoon  of  the 
previous  day,  in  consequence  of  her  dinner  between  here 
and  Albany,  consisting  of  ham;  hard  and  dry,  and  eggs 
boiled  until  they  were  alike  hard  and  dry.  This  ex- 
plained the  phenomenon.  But  the  woman  would,  doubt- 
less, have  died,  had  she  been  alone." 

"JVov.  6,  1832. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  I  returned  from  my  journey  to  Connecticut,  the 
week  after  I  parted  with  you.  I  found  your  brother  W. 
in  good  health,  and  ready,  as  he  had  before  promised, 
to  accompany  me.  We  went  by  E.,  where  your  uncle 
resides,  to  Franklin  and  Norwich.  I  visited  the  sepul- 
chres of  my  fathers,  and  found  the  most  of  my  relatives 
and  early  acquaintances  lying  around  them,  sleeping  in 
the  dust.  I  read  many  of  their  monuments,  and  was 
deeply  impressed  with  the  brevity  of  human  life.  I  called 
together  the  few  remains  of  my  relatives,  and  their  neigh- 
bors, and  spent  one  evening  in  preaching  Jesus  Christ 
to  them.  They  were  attentive,  and  for  the  time,  very 
solemn.  My  visit,  as  I  expected,  was  a  gloomy  one,  and 
yet  full  of  important  instruction,  and  I  hope  it  may  be 
sanctified  to  my  soul. 

"On  my  return,  I  found  E.  was  left  in  our  care,  and 
as  happy  as  ever.    She  then  had  the  company  of  her 


308 


MEMOIR  OF 


cousins  L.  C,  and  C.  II.,  the  third  daughter  of  your 
uncle  L.  We  sent  them  all  to  school,  while  Miss  11. 
continued,  and  they  enjoyed  themselves  together  finely ; 
and  then  they  amused  themselves  in  keeping  school  at 
home.  Her  cousins  have  now  gone,  and  E-  keeps  school 
alone.  She  is  perfectly  well  and  entirely  contented.  Her 
cough  has  left  her.  There  is  not  yet  any  school  estab- 
lished, though  I  think  there  will  be  one  beside  the  district 
school ;  but  I  doubt  whether  Miss  H.'s  place  will  be 
wholly  supplied.  We  cannot  do  as  well  by  her  in  the 
winter  as  in  the  summer.  We  will  do  the  best  we  can. 
She  reads  and  spells  every  day.  I  find  no  difficulty  in 
governing  her.  She  is  more  easily  guided  and  restrained 
than  even  her  cousin  L.  C. 

"I  conclude  your  wife  was  disappointed,  when  you 
returned  without  her,  but  she  must  commit  her  into  the 
hands  of  God,  and  daily  pray  for  her.  This  privilege 
you  both  may  enjoy,  and  should  not  fail  of  improving. 
I  long  to  hear  tliat  your  house  has  become  a  house  of 
prayer. 

"Nothing  special  has  occurred  since  you  was  here. 
I  have,  however,  learned  to-day,  that  Mr.  M.  B.  of  P., 
has  failed.  This  reminded  me  of  a  question  which  you 
proposed  to  me,  just  before  I  left  home,  viz.,  'what  would 
you  think  of  my  leaving  the  mercantile  business,  and 
locating  myself  on  some  farm?'  I  have  bestowed  many 
thoughts  on  the  subject.  The  occupation  of  a  farmer  is 
an  honorable  one — it  is  one  of  the  most  safe,  and  the 
most  free  from  temptations.  A  good  farm,  in  a  well 
regulated  town,  and  among  a  religious  people,  is  a  better 
earthly  inheritance,  than  the  fluctuating  business  of  a 
merchant.  May  the  Lord  direct  you  in  all  your  concerns. 
I  will,  however,  add  one  word — go  no  greater  distance 
from  your  parents. 

"As  a  nation,  we  have  reached  an  awful  crisis.  I 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


309 


tremble,  when  I  think  what  may  be  the  result  of  the 
approaching  election.  We  are  a  sinful  and  ungrateful 
nation,  and  we  must  expect  to  experience  the  frowns  of 
a  righteous  God. 

"  E.  wants  I  should  seal  my  letter,  with  the  impression 
of  her  little  bird,  which  her  uncle  T.  gave  her,  and  I 
have  consented  ;  but  I  fear  you  will  break  the  seal  before 
you  will  see  it. 

"  I  remain,  as  ever,  your  affectionate  father." 

"jVoy.  20,  183'i. 

"My  dear  Son, 

"Yesterday,  I  received  your  letter  of  the  IGth  inst., 
and  was  reminded  of  my  obligation  to  bless  God  that  I 
have  such  a  son,  whose  deportment,  as  a  man  of  business, 
as  a  member  of  community,  and  as  a  professed  follower  of 
Christ,  has  hitherto  been  marked  with  so  much  discretion. 
I  consider,  that  you  have  been  under  the  guidance  of  that 
great  and  good  Being,  who  directed  the  steps  of  Joseph  in 
Egypt,  and  made  him  such  an  honor  and  blessing  to  his 
father,  and  to  all  his  father's  house.  When  I  read  your 
letters,  I  am  always  deeply  impressed  with  the  expressions 
of  filial  affection  and  tenderness,  which  T  notice  in  them. 
You  know  I  have  been  very  solicitous  for  your  health ; 
but  I  rejoice  in  your  being  able  to  say  it  has  been  for 
some  time  past  uncommonly  good.  Would  you  have  the 
blessing  continued,  and  your  life  and  usefulness  pro- 
tracted, you  must  be  very  prudent,  and  not  overact,  nor 
deprive  yourself  of  seasonable  refreshment  by  sleep,  and 
at  the  proper  hours. 

"  Your  brothers  have  all  written  to  us  within  a  few 
days,  and  they  are  all  favored  with  health.  J.  and  W. 
encourage  us  with  the  hope  of  being  with  us  on  the  day 
of  our  State  thanksgiving,  which  will  be  the  29lh  inst. 
It  would  rejoice  my  heart  to  see  you  at  our  table  on  that 


310 


MEMOIR  OF 


occasion.  I  have  lately  made  a  journey  to  my  native 
place  in  Connecticut,  where  I  had  not  been  for  twelve 
years.  Your  brother  W.  accompanied  me  from  S.,  and 
ue  were  both  highly  gratified  with  the  ride.  I  have  not 
had  so  pleasant  an  opportunity  with  W.  for  several  years. 
He  was  very  kind  and  attentive,  and  withal  very  good 
company.  He  assisted  ine  in  some  meetings  which  I 
attend£>d. 

"  The  state  of  our  country  is  truly  alarming ;  but,  my 
son,  God  is  above  men,  and  in  this  great  truth,  let  us 
comfort  ourselves.  Write  oftener  than  you  have  done, 
and  save  us  from  an.\iety." 

"Jan.  31,  1833. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  Your  last  letter  excited  some  solicitude  in  my  mind 
respecting  your  health ;  and  knowing  your  proneness  to 
go  beyond  your  strength,  I  feel  that  you  are  in  great 
danger  of  prostrating  yourself  entirely.  I  entreat  you, 
with  all  the  tenderness  of  a  father,  to  take  care  of  your 
health,  and  use  all  proper  means  to  prolong  your  life  and 
usefulness.  The  acquisilion  of  property  sliould  be  with 
you  a  subordinate  end,  for  nothing  of  this  world  can  be  of 
any  avail  to  us,  when  we  sink  into  the  grave,  whither  we 
are  all  going.  God  has  greatly  prospered  your  efforts  thus 
far,  and  given  you  favor  in  the  sight  of  your  fellow-men, 
for  which  I  desire  to  bless  Him.  But  none  of  his  dealings 
with  you  have  so  much  affected  my  heart,  as  his  (^ening 
your  eyes  to  beiiold  the  importance  and  loveliness  of  the 
Saviour.  When  I  thijik  of  your  being  in  the  fold  of 
Christ,  and  taking  an  active  part  in  building  up  his  cause, 
it  is  comforting  and  cheering  to  my  soul.  I  do  hope  you 
will  not  be  an  inactive  professor  of  religion,  but  a  growing 
and  devoted  Christian. 

Your  mother  and  I  enjoy  comfortable  health,  con- 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


311 


sidering  the  years  which  have  rolled  over  our  heads,  and 
the  anxieties  and  fatigues  we  have  endured.  If  my  life 
should  be  spared  two  days  longer,  I  shall  complete  sixty- 
five  years.  My  days  of  exertion  are  drawing  to  a  close, 
and  I  desire  not  to  be  unmindful  of  it.  Your  mother  was 
greatly  pleased  with  your  presents,  by  the  way  of  New 
York,  and  they  add  much  to  her  comfort. 

"Do,  my  son,  send  us  letters  more  frequently  than  you 
have  done  of  late,  and  let  us  know  all  your  trials  and  all 
your  joys — particularly  let  us  know  your  plans  respecting 
the  contemplated  change  of  your  situation,  and  how  it  is 

with   ,  in  whom  I  already  feel  a  great  interest. 

May  the  Lord  guide  you." 

«m  22,  1833. 

"  My  very  dear  Son, 

"Your  kind  and  affectionate  letter  of  tlie  17th  inst. 
has  been  received  and  perused  with  uncommon  interest. 
It  seems  you  begin  to  discern  from  experience  the  truth 
of  what  you  have  often  heard  me  say,  that  the  wheels  of 
time  roll  rapidly.  You  are  now  on  the  last  half  of  your 
collegiate  life ;  and  the  whole  of  your  life,  be  it  longer  or 
shorter,  will  glide  away  .with  the  same  rapidity.  Do  you 
realize  this?  If  you  do  realize  it,  you  must  feel  a  power- 
ful motive  to  use  all  diligence,  not  only  to  lay  a  good 
foundation  for  usefulness,  but  'to  make  your  calling  and 
election  sure.'  In  some  of  your  late  letters,  I  have 
noticed  with  pleasure,  resolutions  to  make  a  better  im- 
provement of  your  time,  and,  in  the  prosecution  of  your 
studies,  to  dig  deeper.  I  trust  your  friend  F.  will 
encourage  you  in  this,  by  his  own  example. 

"  I  rejoice  in  the  evidence  furnished  by  your  remarks 
on  sermons,  that  you  see  where  the  great  truths  of  the 
gospel  are  assailed,  and  that  your  own  mind  appears  to 
be  on  the  watch  against  error.    I  have  never  seen  a  day, 


312 


MEMOIR  OF 


when  I  have  trembled  more  for  the  church,  and  for  young 
men,  who  are  looking  forward  to  the  ministry,  than  the 
present.  The  whole  current  of  the  public  mind  is  set 
against  such  preaching  as  resembles  that  of  Christ  and 
his  apostles.  I  have  great  trials  among  my  own  people. 
But,  my  son,  let  not  these  remarks  discourage  you,  in  the 
least,  for  Christ  is  at  the  helm. 

"  Last  week  on  Thursday,  your  brother  W.  sent  a 
portrait-painter  here  from  Springfield,  to  paint  my  likeness 
and  your  mother's,  if  she  would  consent.  I  began  to 
sit  for  this  object  on  Friday  morning,  and  yesterday  he 
finished  the  picture,  which  is  spoken  of  by  the  few  who 
have  seen  it,  as  an  uncommonly  good  likeness  of  your 
father,  and  as  being-  executed,  in  all  respects,  with  skill 
and  taste.  This  intelligence,  as  you  love  and  respect 
your  parents,  will  doubtless  be  pleasing  to  you,  and  it 
would  be  doubly  pleasing  if  I  could  add,  that  he  painted 
your  mother's.  But  she  could  not  be  persuaded  to  sit  for 
the  purpose.  I  acknowledge  that  it  was  not  pleasant  to 
me,  to  sit  and  be  gazed  at,  by  the  piercing  eye  of  a 
stranger,  day  after  day,  and  for  an  hour  or  two  at  a  time; 
but  I  sat  to  gratify  my  children.  The  young  painter  is 
not  yet  twenty-three — is  in  a  measure  self-taught — dis- 
covers a  great  taste  for  the  fine  arts,  and  will  rise  to 
eminence  if  he  takes  a  right  course." 

«  Feb.  25,  1833. 

"  My  very  dear  Son, 

"  Your  letter  of  the  19th  inst.  was  richly  stored  with 
good  news,  and  was  a  cordial  to  my  mind.  I  have  had 
many  fears,  lest  your  health  should  entirely  fail,  amidst 
your  multiplied  cares  and  labors,  knowing  that  your  con- 
stitution is  not  the  most  firm.  But  I  desire  to  praise  God 
for  restoring  you  so  often  from  threatening  complaints,  and 
that  at  the  date  of  your  letter,  you  enjoyed  comfortable 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


313 


heakh.  You  inform  me  of  an  extensive  and  powerful 
work  of  divine  grace,  in  the  village  of  A.,  of  which  I  had 
heard  nothing  before.  It  seems  the  Holy  Spirit  is  shed  down 
upon  you,  in  a  wonderful  manner,  and  many  are  brought  to 
bow  at  the  foot  of  the  cross.  I  rejoice  to  notice  tokens  of  a 
revival  in  your  own  soul.  This  I  discern,  in  your  acknow- 
ledging a  consciousness  of  languor  of  love  for  Christ,  and 
remissness  in  duty,  for  some  time  past.  The  carelessness 
and  apathy  of  Christians,  in  running  the  race  set  before 
them,  is  exceedingly  sinful,  because  it  evinces  great  in- 
gratitude to  Him  who  gave  his  life  a  ransom,  and  is  calcu- 
lated to  ruin  the  souls  of  others.  I  do  hope  God  has 
aroused  you  from  your  criminal  slumbers,  and  that  you 
will  never  again  follow  Christ  afar  off.  The  interesting 
state  of  things  in  A.,  I  see  has  called  you  into  action,  and 
you  have  been  visiting  from  house  to  house,  conversing 
with  your  fellow-sinners  on  the  great  subject  of  religion. 
I  felt  this  to  be  an  honor  to  an  unworthy  parent. 

"  Protracted  religious  meetings  should  be  conducted 
with  great  prudence,  otherwise  evils  will  result  from  them, 
which  are  not  anticipated  at  the  time.  When  there  is 
great  excitement,  the  adversary  will  be  busy,  and  there  is 
danger  that  false  hopes  may  be  multiplied.  I  do  not  think 
it  wise  to  have  meetings  continued  so  long,  as  the  one  has 
been  with  you.  The  human  mind  will  not  endure  it.  I 
have  great  confidence  in  the  wisdom  of  Mr.  H.,  your  pas- 
tor, but  I  hear  he  has  a  Mr.  there,  who  may  not 

be  equally  judicious.  I  hope  and  pray  that  you  may  all 
be  guided  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  be  made  to  feel  your 
dependence. 

"  I  am  too  old  to  increase  my  exertions,  and  cannot 
attend  as  many  meetings  as  formerly.  I  sometimes  think 
it  is  my  duty  to  stop,  and  give  way  to  a  younger  man.  I 
hope  you  pray  daily  for  me,  that  I  may  be  directed  and 
supported." 

27 


314 


MEMOIR  OF 


«  March  20, 1833. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  I  thank  you  for  your  favor  of  the  9th  instant,  and 
for  the  Dissertation  of  Dr.  S.  which  you  sent  with  it.  I 
read  without  delay  tlie  Dissertation,  and  I  read  it  with 
great  interest,  as  it  is  the  discussion  of  a  subject  on  «  hich 
I  wrote  a  short  essay.  Dr.  S.  takes  exactly  the  ground 
which  I  did,  and  has  ably  defended  it.  But  error  has  so 
widely  spread  in  the  churches  and  among  ministers  in  this 
land,  and  taken  such  deep  root,  that  I  expect  multitudes 
will  dissent  from  him.  I  have  been  surprised  to  see  what 
progress  corrupt  sentiments  will  make  in  a  very  few  years, 
and  what  mischief  may  be  done  hy  a  few  men.  It  is  a  fact, 
both  in  religion  and  politics,  that  men  are  credulous,  and 
public  opinion  is  easiFy  turned.  It  is  not  a  little  gratify- 
ing to  me,  that  you  appear  to  keep  correct  in  your  reli- 
gious views,  and  stand  by  what  may  be  called  some  of  the 
fiindamental  doctrines  of  our  holy  religion,  in  this  day  of 
excitement,  and  when  tliere  is  such  a  fondness  for  new 
things.  But,  my  son,  rest  not  in  mere  speculation.  The 
best  and  only  security  against  error  and  corruption,  is,  to 
have  the  heart  right.  Will  you  read  the  following  passage 
in  1  John  v.  10 — '  He  that  believeth  on  the  Son  of  God, 
hath  the  witness  in  himself.'  A  renewed  heart  comes 
into  the  gospel  system  and  abides  in  it,  because  it  loves 
the  truth.  This  is  the  teaching  of  the  Spirit,  making  the 
heart  accord  with  what  the  Spirit  reveals  in  the  Bible.  It 
is  an  inward  testimony  to  the  truth,  always  followed  by  an 
unshaken  confidence  in  the  gospel.  I  do  hope  you  may 
be  thus  taught,  and  then  your  foundation  w^ill  be  sure. 
This  would  rejoice  the  heart  of  your  beloved  companion 
and  bosom  friend,  and  the  hearts  of  your  parents,  and  of 
many  others  who  feel  an  interest  in  you. 

"  My  health  has  not  been  good  for  the  last  three  or  four 
weeks,  and  it  has  been  very  difficult  for  me  to  discliarge 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


315 


the  ordinary  duties  of  my  ministry — and,  in  this  time, 
sectarian  efforts  have  been  unwearied.  We  have  now,  as 
you  well  know,  a  mixed  population,  and  it  is  an  arduous 
task  to  guide  them.  I  am  too  far  advanced  in  life  to  meet 
the  difficulties  which  arise;  but  I  cast  myself  upon  Him, 
who  has  hitherto  been  my  guide. 

"  Your  mother  enjoys  indifferent  health,  but  has  rarely 
failed  of  attending  public  worship  this  winter..  All  your 
brothers  have  recently  written  us — all  are  well,  except- 
ing hard  colds — and  all  appear  to  be  active.  There 
has  been  a  very  great  religious  excitement  at  A.,  and  E. 
seems  to  be  much  aroused.  He  thinks  there  have  been 
four  hundred  converted,  as  the  result  of  a  late  protracted 
meeting  in  the  congregation  to  which  he  belongs.  The 
meeting  continued  thirty-three  days.  This  I  think  was 
not  wise,  and  I  fear  the  consequences  of  such  movements. 
How  much  reason  we  have  to  rejoice,  that  the  God  of 
Zion  reigns  !  " 

"^ug.  12,  1833. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  I  thank  you  for  your  favor,  received  on  Saturday. 
I  expected  you  would  have  written  before,  agreeably  to 
my  request.  Days  of  examination  in  college  are  very  im- 
portant, and  I  hope  you  will  sustain  the  approaching  one 
with  honor  to  yourself,  and  elevate  your  standing  in  the 
class,  which,  if  I  have  been  correctly  informed,  has  ever 
been  respectable.  The  progress  of  many  students,  through 
their  own  neglects,  is  often  retrograde. 

"Your  brother  E.  is  passing  through  a  scene  of  heavy 
affliction,  which  you  anticipate  at  once.  Three  weeks 
ago  last  Saturday,  he  received  a  letter,  informing  him  of 
the  rapid  decline  of  Miss  W.,  and  on  the  Monday  suc- 
ceeding, he  sat  out  for  the  east,  and  reached  Albany 
Tuesday  evening,  where  he  wrote  me  a  line.    Soon  after 


316 


MEMOIR  OF 


he  reached  Hartford,  he  wrote  me  again,  informing  me 
that  she  was  in  the  city,  under  the  care  of  Dr.  N.,  and 
much  l&wer  than  he  expected,  and  would  never  be  re- 
moved to  her  mother's.  In  a  second  letter,  he  earnestly 
requested  me  to  visit  him  under  his  troubles,  saying  he 
never  needed  my  presence,  and  counsel,  and  prayers, 
more.  A  week  ago  last  Saturday,  T  took  the  stage  and 
went  to  H.  I  found  her  a  very  interesting  person,  and  in 
a  happy  frame  of  mind,  expressing  <i;hristian  resignation. 
E.'s  prospect  of  disappointment  affects  him  deejjy,  but  he 
seems  to  rejoice  in  the  calmness  of  ]\Jiss  W.,  and  her 
willingness  to  part  with  him,  and  with  the  world.  I  hope 
and  pray  he  may  be  supported  from  on  high.  I  tarried 
with  him  until  Monday  afternoon,  having  preached  twice 
on  the  Sabbath  for  Dr.  H.  W.  has  been  down  to  see  E., 
and  to  comfort  him.  I  fear  the  effect  of  his  confinement, 
anxiety,  and  want  of  sleep,  on  his  own  health.  1  hope 
you  will  find  it  in  your  heart  to  pray  much  for  him.  He 
received  your  letter  just  before  he  left  A.  I  wish  you 
would  write  him  again  immediately,  and  direct  to  H." 

"Aug.  13,  1833. 

"  My  very  dear  Son, 

"  The  trials  into  which  you  are  brought,  by  the  holy 
and  wise  providence  of  God,  are  much  in  my  mind,  and 
influence  me  daily  to  make  supplication  to  the  Father  of 
mercies  in  your  behalf,  that  you  may  not  dishonor  him. 
I  received  your  letter  on  Friday  evening,  and  was  much 
rejoiced,  to  hear  that  your  amiable  and  pious  friend  was 
then  alive,  and  though  greatly  enfeebled  by  her  disease, 
was  happy  and  tranquil  in  her  mind.  I  think  I  shall 
never  regret  going  down  to  see  her,  as  I  have  now  some 
personal  knowledge  of  the  dear  object  of  your  attachment, 
and  can  feel  more  sensibly  for  you,  in  the  prospect  of  your 
great  disappointment.      You    have,  doubtless,  been  in 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


317 


danger  of  suffering  this  dear  friend  to  rob  the  Saviour  of 
your  affections,  and  this  would  certainly  be  unreasonable 
and  criminal.  If  she  is  yet  living,  you  will,  in  a  proper 
manner,  present  salutations  to  her  from  your  parents,  who 
cannot  but  be  afflicted  in  your  afflictions.  Remind  her 
from  me,  of  the  apostle's  words,  where  he  says — '  For  I 
reckon,  that  the  sufferings  of  this  present  time  are  not 
worthy  to  be  compared  with  the  glory  which  shall  be 
revealed  in  us  ' — meaning  all  those  who  are  united  to 
Christ. 

"  My  journey  home  was  prosperous ;  but  as  W.  was 
unwilling  to  have  me  leave  him  so  soon,  and  to.  rise  so 
early  in  tlie  morning,  I  did  not  leave  S.  until  the  afternoon 
■of  Tuesday,  and  of  course,  did  not  reach  my  family  until 
Wednesday. 

"  I  trust  my  visit  to  you  has  made  your  trial  known  to 
more  friends  in  H.,  and  will  occasion  more  sympathy,  and 
call  forth  many  more  prayers  in  your  behalf,  and  for  your 
languishing  friend.  I  shall  expect  another  letter  from  you 
this  week,  and  I  hope  we  may  be  prepared  for  whatever 
intelligence  the  .Lord  may  send  by  your  hand.  Your 
trying  situation  is  daily  before  us,  and  you  have  our 
sympathy.    We  all  send  you  much  love." 

"JVov.  13,  1833. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  Your  favor  of  the  2Sth  ult.  was  duly  received,  for 
which  I  thank  you.  I  rejoice  to  hear  that  the  Lord  pros- 
pered your  way,  with  your  household,  to  Palmyra,  the 
place  of  your  residence  for  a  season.  The  time  of  your 
continuance  there,  the  success  you  are  to  have  in  busi- 
ness, and  the  trials  with  which  you  are  to  be  visited,  are 
known  to  Him  only,  who  is  the  God  of  all  the  families  of 
the  earth.  Acknowledge  him  in  all  your  ways,  and  he 
will  direct  your  paths.  You  now  have  opportunity,  with 
27* 


318 


MEMOIR  OF 


your  family,  to  honor  the  Sabbath,  and  to  enjoy  the  priv- 
ileges of  the  sanctuary.  I  hope  and  trust  you  will  be 
among  the  constant  attendants  on  the  public  worship  of 
God,  and  cheerfully  bear  your  part  in  supporting  divine 
institutions.  Let  your  deportment,  at  all  times,  evince  to 
your  rising  family,  now  in  the  forming  period,  that  you 
act  in  the  fear  of  God,  and  that  religion  is  the  one  thing 
needful.  You  cannot  have,  in  the  most  important  re- 
spects, a  well  regulated  family,  without  family  worship.  I 
entreat  you  to  erect  a  family-altar,  that  your  dear  children 
may  have  the  benefit  of  an  example  so  important  to  a  re- 
ligious education. 

"  I  trust  that  E.  and  A.  are  located  in  a  good  school, 
and  much  engaged  with  their  books,  and  that  you  take 
them  to  the  house  of  God  every  Sabbath.  I  think  they 
both  will  remember  their  grandfather  and  grandmother 
Hyde.  C.  was  too  young  to  have  any  impressions  left  on 
his  mind  with  respect  to  us. 

"  Through  divine  mercy,  your  mother  and  I  enjoy  com- 
fortable health,  yet  she  has  been  for  some  time  more 
feeble  than  common.  I  have  attended  religious  meetings 
every  evening,  excepting  Saturday  evenings,  for  two 
months;  but  it  has  affected  my  health,  and  worn  off  my 
flesh.  The  peculiar  state  of  this  people  has  induced  me 
to  make  these  efforts. 

"  Miss  B.  came  here  the  same  week  you  left,  and  we 
find  her  the  same  intelligent  and  agreeable  person  as 
formerly.  She  unites  with  your  mother,  T.,  and  myself, 
in  much  love  to  you,  your  wife  and  the  children.'' 

"A'ov.21,  1833. 

"  My  dear  Son, 

"  I  thank  you  for  your  kind  favor  of  the  13th  inst., 
in  which  I  discover  your  feelings  of  tenderness  for  your 
parents  in  their  declining  years.    Your  mother  completed 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


319 


the  sixty-third  year  of  her  mortal  life,  last  Saturday,  and 
I  desire  to  bless  God  that  her  health  has  rather  improved 
since  I  wrote  last.  She  rode  with  nie  to  New  Marlborough, 
a  few  days  ago,  where  I  was  called  to  preach,  and  we 
tarried  at  the  house  of  my  deceased  friend.  Dr.  Catlin, 
and  were  hospitably  entertained  by  his  son  and  family. 
The  ride  was  evidently  beneficial  to  us  both. 

"  Miss  B.  took  the  stage  for  Albany,  .yesterday,  having 
been  with  us  more  than  six  weeks.  We  greatly  hoped  to 
have  kept  her  longer,  but  her  brother  had  written,  and 
urgently  solicited  her  return,  as  she  was  much  wanted  at 
the  female  seminary.  The  prospect  of  the  speedy  closing 
of  the  canal,  induced  her  to  go  before  our  thanksgiving. 
She  is  a  person  of  much  intelligence  and  discretion,  and 
has  a  well-cultivated  mind,  and  an  uncommonly  correct 
taste.  We  found  her  to  be  very  companionable,  and  a 
pleasant  inmate  in  the  family.  It  was  with  reluctance, 
that  we  parted  with  her. 

"I  have  not  preached  in  the  meeting-house  for  si. v  Sab- 
baths. The  removal  of  so  large  a  building  has  been  a 
great  and  difficult  job,  and  adverse  weather  has  retarded 
the  business.  Though  the  house  is  far  from  being  finished, 
we  hope  to  meet  in  it  next  Sabbath.  During  all  this 
time,  my  labors  have  been  very  great,  having  been  obliged 
to  hold  all  my  meetings  in  the  school-houses.  I  have  been 
holding  a  ^meeting  in  some  part  of  the  town  almost  every 
evening  for  two  months.  T.  has  generally  waited  upon 
me,  or  I  could  not  have  done  it.  I  hope  God  will  bless 
him  for  this  service,  which  he  has  rendered  me. 

"  The  pastoral  letter  has  not  yet  come  from  the  press, 
though  I  expected  it  more  than  a  week  ago.  1  will  fur- 
nish you  with  a  copy,  when  you  visit  us  next  week,  of 
which  you  have  given  us  some  encouragement.  It  will 
be  very  gratifying  to  see  you  on  the  day  of  thanksgiving, 
especially  as  we  have  of  late  had  so  much  company,  and 
now  are  left  alone." 


CHAPTER  XI. 


HIS    PREACHING  THEOLOGICAL    INSTRUCTION  PASTORAL 

LABORS  CONNECTION   WITH   WILLIAMS  COLLEGE. 


The  efforts  of  Dr.  Ilj  de,  as  a  preacher,  were  marked  with 
peculiar  clearness  in  the  exliibition  of  trulii,  and  a  man- 
ner which  made  the  impression  upon  tlie  minds  of  his 
hearers  that  he  felt  that  he  was  God's  ambassador, 
addressing  them  on  subjects  of  immense  responsibility. 
His  great  object  was  to  deliver  God's  message,  and  this 
he  believed  to  consist  in  a  scriptural  exhibition  of  the 
doctrines  of  revelation,  and  the  duties  there  ejijoined, 
in  something  of  the  proportions  in  which  these  are  found 
on  the  pages  of  the  written  word.  His  hearers  had  oppor- 
tunity to  see  that  there  was  in  his  pulpit  labors,  no  in- 
distinct resemblance  to  those  who  could  say,  "Therefore, 
seeing  we  have  this  ministry,  as  we  have  received  mercy, 
we,  faint  not  ;  but  have  renounced  the  hidden  things  of 
dishonesty ;  not  walking  in  craftiness,  nor  handling  the 
word  of  God  deceitfully;  but  by  manifestation  of  the  truth, 
commending  ourselves  to  every  man's  conscience  in  the 
sight  of  God."  His  sermons  were  the  result  of  patient 
study,  careful  investigation,  commenced  and  prosecuted 
and  closed  with  earnest  a])plication  to  Him  who  hearcth 
prayer.    He  fully  believed  that  it  was  a  great  sin,  danger- 


MEMOIR  OF  ALVAN  HYDE. 


321 


ous  to  the  preacher  and  ruinous  to  the  hearers,  to  serve 
God  with  that  which  cost  him  nothing.  His  best  hours 
were  employed  in  preparation  for  tlie  pulpit,  and  his 
faculties  were  put  in  requisition  for  this  one  object — to 
declare  all  the  counsel  of  God,  to  take  heed  unto  himself, 
and  to  all  the  flock  over  which  the  Holy  Ghost  had  made 
him  an  overseer,  to  feed  the  church  of  God  whicb  he  had 
purchase^'d  with  his  blood. 

His  sermons  were  distinguished  for  lucid  exhibitions 
of  the  doctrines  of  grace.  While-there  was  a  classic 
purity,  that  rendered  his  discourses  eminently  acceptable 
to  men  of  refined  taste,  there  was  such  simplicity  and 
godly  sincerity,  such  adaptation  to  common  minds,. and 
such  directness,  that  his  hearers  could  not  fail  to  apprehend 
his  meaning.  Truth,  revealed  truth,  looked  beautiful  to 
his  eye;  it  fed  his  own  soul ;  and  this  it  was  his  great  effort 
to  be  the  instrument  of  making  known  to  his  headers. 
Those  doctrines  which  exalt  God,  and  abase  all  flesh  at 
the  footstool  of  sovereign  mercy,  were  the  most  frequently 
and  prominently  exhibited  in  his  sermons.  He  preached 
no  theories  ;  the  great  facts  of  the  Bible  were  his  only 
topics.  He  never  attempted  to  preach  against  any  denomi- 
nation ;  and  during  the  forty-two  y^ars  of  his  ministry, 
in  no  sermon  did  he  attempt  to  enlist  his  hearers  in 
opposition  to  any  sect,  or  caution  them  against  their  errors. 
He  preached  down  nobody.  His  sole  object  was  to  preach 
the  truth.  In  his  conversation  and  letters,  he  spoke  and 
wi'ote  with  very  great  freedom  and  plainness,  of  prevailing 
errofs,  but  when  he  stood  as  God's  ambassador,  he  brought 
no  message  from  heaven  agatnst  those  who  embraced 
different  views  from  his  own. 

From  an  examination  of  his  manuscript  sermons, 
preached  near  the  time  of  his  ordination,  the,  following 
subjects  were  those  which  he  made  the  tliemes  of  his 
addresses  in  his  regular  ministrations  on  the  Sabbath,  and 


322 


MEMOIR  OF 


this  is  the  order  in  wliich  they  were  presented.  The  day 
on  whicli  he  gave  his  answer  to  the  invitation  to  labor  in 
Lee,  he  preached  from  Acts  xvii.  11 — "  These  were  more 
noble  than  those  in  Thessalonica,  in  that  they  received  the 
word  w  ith  all  readiness  of  mind,  and  searched  the  scrip- 
tures daily,  whether  those  things  were  so."  In  remarking 
upon  the  passage,  he  observed,  "  The  text  evidently 
supports  this  doctrine. 

"  It  is  the  duty  of  a  people  to  search  the  scriptures  daily, 
that  tliey  may  know  whether  the  doctrines  which  they 
hear  preached,  are  to  be  received  as  truth. 

"God  gave  his  word  to  us  for  our  guide,  and  he  gave  it 
to  us  for  an  infallible  guide,  and  it  is  his  design  that  we 
should  depend  on  no  other."  "  It  is  not  God's  will  that 
a  few  men  only,  should  study  the  scriptures,  and  that 
others  should  take  for  granted  every  thing  which  they 
-say ;  biit  God  designs  that  in  matters  of  religion,  every 
person  should  judge  for  himself."  "  But  to  be  more 
particular  in  illustrating  the  doctrine,  I  observe,  first,  if 
any  have  doubts  respecting  the  way  of  salvation,  or  in 
other  words,  how  it  is  that  God  saves  sinners,  let  them 
look  into  the  Bible  and  read  what  that  says."  He  then 
briefly  sketches  a  few  passages,  which  exhibit  God's 
agency  in  this  great  work,  and  every  sinner's  immediate 
duty,  pressing  home  upon  every  conscience  the  guilt  and 
danger  of  neglecting  so  great  salvation.  He  called  the 
attention  of  his  hearers,  secondly,  to  the  doctrine  of  the 
trinity  ;  thirdly,  to  the  divinity  of  our  Saviour  ;  fourthly, 
to  the  extent  of  the  atonement ;  fifthly,  to  the  character 
of  man  by  nature  ;  sixthly,  to  the  doctrine  of  election  ; 
seventhly,  to  the  necessity  of  regeneration  ;  eighthly,  to 
tlie  perseverance  of  the  saints  ;  ninthly,  to  the  doctrine 
of  the  future  judgment;  and,  lastly,  to  the  treatment  the 
impenitent  will  receive  at  the  day  of  judgment. 

Ue  then  proceeded  to  the  application,    1.  They  who 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


323 


rest  upon  their  education,  and  receive  every  thing  for 
truth,  because  they  have  been  taught  to  believe  it  as  such, 
are  in  great  d^inger.  .2.  They  who  regard  the  traditions 
of  men  as  a  rule,  are  exposed  always  to  live  in  error. 
3.  Thpy  who  make  the  examples  of  men  a  rule,  are  in 
danger.  Lastly,  they  who  embrace  sentiments,  because 
they  are  espoused  by  the  greatest  numbers,  make  that 
a  rule  which  is  no  rule,  and  are  therefore  in  great 
danger. 

The  last  Sabbatli  he  was  with  the  people,  before  his 
ordination,  his  «ubject  was  prayer,  from  these  words, 
Eph.  vi.  18 — "  Praying  always,  with  all  prayer  and  suppli- 
cation in  the  Spirit."  It  is  evident  in  reading  the  sermon, 
that  he  felt  his  own  weakness  and  insufficiency  for  his 
work,  and  looked  up  to  the  grace  of  God,  casting  him- 
self upon  the  prayers  of  his  people.  After  some  pertinent 
remarks  upon  the  various  kinds  of  prayer,  and  the  pro- 
priety of  praying  always  with  all  prayer,  he  selects  as  a 
more  particular  theme,  social  and  family  prayer,  and 
pours  out  before  his  people,  in  earnest  appeals  to  their 
consciences,  his  desire  that  all  would  regard  the  text  as 
pointing  out  their  duty.  He  then  answered  some  of  the 
more  common  objections  which  are  made  by  such  as 
neglect  prayer.  His  language  in  one  paragraph  is  as 
follows  : 

"  But  you  say,  I  dare  not  pray,  because  I  am  an  im- 
penitent sinner,  and  the  prayers  of  the  wicked  are  an 
abomination  to  the  Lord.  It  is  to  be  feared  that  many 
sinners  feel  this  objection,  and  rest  easy  in  living  a  prayer- 
less  life.  But  there  can  be  no  objection  invented  which 
is  further  from  affording  an  excuse  than  this.  It  savors 
of  nothing  but  a  great  degree  of  stupidity  and  wickedness. 
It  is  a  suggestion  of  Satan,  and  at  the  present  day,  it  is 
one  of  his  most  successful  devices.  By  bringing  to  their 
view  this  objection,  he  makes  them  cast  off  fear,  and  re- 


3-34 


MEMOIR  OF 


straia  prayer  before  God.  But  the  fallacy  of  this  objection 
is  easily  discovered  and  pointed  out.  Our  obligations  to 
obey  God,  do  not  depend  upon  the  state  of  our  hearts,  and 
therefore  impenitence  can  release  no  man  from  his  duty. 
If  we  are  ever  under  obligations  to  confess  our  sins,  and 
to  pray  to  God,  we  are  now.  It  is  an  immediate  duty. 
Our  being  impenitent  sinners,  is  so  far  from  excusing  us, 
that  it  is  the  very  reason  why  we  should  confess  our  sins 
and  ask  God  to  forgive  us.  The  more  sinful  we  are,  the 
stronger  the  reason  why  we  should  immediately  confess 
our  sins,  and  pray  for  pardon.  The  scriptures  nowhere 
require  a  man  to  have  evidence  that  his  heart  is  sancti- 
fied previously  to  his  performing  prayer.  They  do  not 
enjoin  this  duty  upon  Christians  only,  but  they  call  upon 
all  men,  without  exception,  to  pray  immediately.  There 
can  be  no  warrant  found  for  a  moment's  delay." 

"  Your  being  an  impenitent  sinner,  is  not  to  be  view- 
ed as  a  calauiity,  but  it  is  the  very  thing  for  which  you 
are  criminal.  You  are  inexcusable  for  being  an  impeni- 
tent sinner  one  moment.  Your  impenitence  is  a  volun- 
tary affair.    Y''ou  are  guilty  for  it." 

The  first  time  he  appeared  before  his  people,  after  the 
Holy-Ghost  had  made  him  an  overseer  to  feed  the  flock 
of  God,  he  spoke  from  these  words  :  Luke  xiv.  23 — "  And 
the  Lord  said  unto  the  servant,  go  out  into  the  highways 
and  hedges,  and  compel  them  to  come  in,  that  my  house 
may  be  filled." 

After  a  few  words  explaining  the  passage  in  its  inspired 
connection,  he  proceeds  as  follows;  " The  great  duty  of 
ministers  is  to  hold  up  truth  to  men.  They  are  to  illus- 
trate it  clearly,  and  to  represent  it  just  as  it  is.  They  are 
to  vindicate  the  character  of  God,  his  sovereignty,  and  the 
plan  of  divine  government.  They  are  to  tell  sinners  their 
awful  situation.  They  are  to  hold  up  to  their  view  their  real 
character,  and  in  a  manner  to  be  understood.    They  are 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


325 


to  tell  sinners  plainly  and  without  any  equivocation,  that 
they  have  undone  themselves,  that  they  are  wretclied,  and 
miserable,  and  poOr,  and  blind,  and  naked.  They  must 
also  point  out  to  them  the  only  way  of  escape,  and  publish 
to  them  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation.  They  must  deliver 
to  them  their  message,  that  Christ  Jesus  has  come  into 
the  world  to  seek  and  save  that  which  is  lost,  and  that  he 
stands  with  open  arms  ready  to  receive  perishing  sinners. 
They  must  search  the  scriptures  for  arguments  to  per- 
suade sinners  to  renounce  the  world  and  come  to  Christ. 
They  must  press  the  invitations  of  the  gospel  upon  them, 
and  be  unwearied  in  their  entreaties  to  have  them  come 
to  Christ  and  be  saved.  They  must  be  continually  call- 
ing upon  them  to  attend  to  the  concerns  of  their  immortal 
souls.  All  the  light  and  truth  which  they  can  gather 
from  God's  word,  and  from  his  providence,  they  must 
bring  out  to  their  view,  and  they  must  point  out  the  obli- 
gations which  they  are  under  to  give  up  themselves  to 
Christ,  and  to  leave  unsaid  nothing  which  is  calculated  to 
make  sinners  feel,  and  to  f  conviction  into  their  con- 
sciences. This  is  what  the  ministers  of  the  gospel  must 
do,  and  then  leave  the  event  with  God.  This  is  what  is 
meant  by  compelling  sinners  to  come  to  the  rich  feast  t>f 
the  gospel.  The  text  suggests  no  other  compulsion  than 
this.  The  word  in  the  original  which  is  translated  compel, 
might  have  been  translated  with  more  propriety  '  earnest 
and  continual  urging,'  so  that  the  servant  in  the  parable, 
who  was  commanded  to  go  out  and  compel  them  to  come 
in,  was  commanded  to  go  out  and  earnestly  and  continu- 
ally urge  them  to  come  in.  Earnestly  and  continually  to 
urge  sinners  to  come  to  the  rich  feast  of  the  gospel,  is  the 
duty  of  ministers.  This  duty,  God  in  his  providence 
has  devolved  on  me.  I  am  called  to  discharge  the  impor- 
tant office  of  a  minister  of  the  gospel.  I  have  been  sol- 
emnly consecrated  and  set  apart  to  the  great  work,  and 
28 


326  MEMOIR  OF 

you,  my  friends,  are  the  people  among  whom  I  am  called 
,0  labor.    I  profess  to  come  to  you  in  the  name  of  Jesus 
Christ,  and  to  speak  to  you  in  his  name  ;  and  in  his  stead, 
to  beseech  you  to  be  reconciled  to  God.    I  profess  to  be  a 
servant  and  minister  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  so  far  as  I  have 
knowledge  of  my  heart,  I  feel  willing  to  be  his  servant. 
I  am  the  servant  which  he  has  sent  to  you,  to  compel  you 
to  come  to  the  rich  feast  of  the  gospel.    My  duty  is  marked 
out  before  me.    This  is  the  place  in  which  the  great 
Head  of  the  church  hath  called  me  to  labor  in  the  work 
of  the  ministry.    You  are  the  people  of  my  charge.    I  am 
sent  to  you,  earnestly  and  cbntinually  to  urge  you,  all  of 
you,  both  old  and  young,  to  embrace  the  gospel  of  Jesus 
Christ.    Since  I  am  sent  to  you  on  this  great  and  impor- 
tant errand,  I  must  be  faithful  in  delivering  my  message. 
I  shall  therefore  begin  my  ministry  with  calling  upon  you, 
entreating  you  and  urging  you,  to  come  to  the  feast  which 
Christ  hath  prepared  for  you  in  the  gospel.    This  day, 
which  is  the  first  time  of  my  addressing  you  as  your  min- 
ister, I  shall  enter  upon  the  subject.    Christ's  words  to 
me  are,  '  Go  out  into  the  highways  and  hedges,  and  com- 
pel them  to  come  in,  that  my  house  may  be  filled.'  I 
entreat,  therefore,  that  jou  would  carefully  attend  to  what 
I  have  to  deliver  to  you.    The  way  w-hicli  is  pointed  out 
for  me  to  compel  you  to  come  to  the  rich  feast  of  the  gos- 
pel, is  to  urge  you  by  fair  and  convincing  arguments.  I 
have  collected  and  arranged  a  number,  which  I  now 
address  to  your  consciences. 

"  In  the  first  place,  I  call  upon  you  to  consider  who  it 
is  that  invites  you  to  come  to  this  feast. 

"2.  Another  argument  why  you  should  come  to  the 
gospel  feast,  is  the  great  pains  which  Christ  has  taken  to 
make  you  acquainted  with  the  invitation,  and  to  persuade 
you  to  comply  with  it. 

"  3.  Another  argument  which  I  shall  make  use  of  to 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


327 


persuade  you  to  come,  is  the  richness  of  the  feast  to  which 
you  are  invited. 

"  4.  I  have  one  more  argument  to  hold  up  to  your  view, 
whiclv  is  this — if  you  do  not  come  to  this  feast,  you  are 
^ undone  forever. 

"  I  am  bound  to  call  upon  you  to  forsake  your  evil  ways 
and  to  press  upon  you  the  invitations^  of  the  gospel,  and 
then  leave  the  event  with  God.  God  has  told  me  in  his 
word,  that  while  the  preaching  of  the  gospel  is  a  savor  of 
life  unto  life  to  some,  it  is  a  savor  of  death  unto  death  to 
others.  Who  then  is  sufficient  for  these  things?  Is  it 
not  astonishing  that  this  great  work,  even  too  great  for 
angels,  should  be  committed  into  the  hands  of  men  ?  But 
God  has  told  us  why  it  is  so.  He  says  that  '  this  treasure 
is  committed  to  earthen  vessels,  that  the  excellency  of  the 
power  may  be  of  God,  and  not  of  us.'  This  is  reason 
enough.  Let  God  have  all  the  glory.  The  benevolent 
soul  will  ascribe  it  to  him. 

"  In  the  providence  of  God,  I  am  called  to  feed  this 
flock,  and  to  be  a  pastor  of  this  church,  and  to  urge  per- 
ishing sinners  in  this  place,  to  come  to  the  gospel  feast. 
Brethren,  pray  for  me.  I  need  your  prayers.  Pray  to 
almighty  God  that  I  may  be  found  faithful  in  discharging 
the  important  trust  committed  to  me — that  I  may  be  kept 
from  sinking  under  a  sense  of  the  greatness  of  the  work 
in  which  I  am  engaged,  and  that  the  grace  of  God  may 
be  sufficient  for  me.  Pray  that  I  may  have  a  realizing 
sense  of  the  worth  and  preciousness  of  immortal  souls,  and 
that  I  may  have  the  presence  of  God.  Particularly  re- 
member me  at  the  throne  of  grace  on  the  Sabbath,  that  I 
may  be  furnished  for  the  duties  of  the  sanctuary.  Plead 
with  God  that  my  labors  in  this  place  may  be  successful, 
and  that  I  may  be  an  instrument,  in  his  hand,  of  building 
up  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  Plead  with  him  for  this 
church,  that  it  may  be  enlarged,  and  that  there  may  be 


328 


MEMOIR  OF 


an  outpouring  of  God's  Spirit  in  this  place,  that  stupid 
sinners  may  be  brought  to  renlize  their  situation,  and  that 
God's  elect  may  he  gathered  in.  You,  my  brethren,  may 
do  much,  under  God,  to  support  me  amid  those  trials 
which  are  inseparable  from  the  character  of  a  faithful 
minister.  Let  us  follow  after  the  things  which  make  for 
peace,  and  things  wherewith  one  may  edify  another. 

"  Let  us  continually  bear  it  in  mind  that  we  must  meet 
at  the  day  of  judgment,  and  that  the  meeting  will  be 
solemn  and  interesting.  That  we  may  each  and  every 
one  of  us  so  conduct  in  our  several  stations,  as  to  give  up 
our  account  with  joy,  and  not  with  grief,  may  God  grant, 
for  the  Redeemer's  sake." 

The  following  Sabbath,  John  vi.  70,  71,  furnished  his 
theme.  'Jesus  answered  them.  Have  not  I  chosen  you 
twelve,  and  one  of  you  is  a  devil  ?  He  spake  of  Judas 
Iscariot,  the  son  of  Simon :  for  he  it  was  that  should 
betray  him,  being  one  of  the  twelve.'  In  this  sermon 
he  exhibited  distinctly  this  sentiment,  that  Christ  accom- 
plishes his  own  designs  with  every  individual  of  the 
human  family.  Then  from  the  text,  1  Cor.  ix.  24,  'Know 
ye  not,  that  they  which  run  in  a  race,  run  all,  but  one  re- 
ceiveth  the  prize?  So  run  that  ye  may  obtain  ; '  in  which 
he  attempted  to  show,  1.  Who  they  are  that  so  run  as  not 
to  obtain;  and  2.  The  character  of  those  who  so  run  that 
they  do  obtain. 

The  following  is  the  order  of  the  texts  from  which  he 
preached  on  subsequent  Sabbaths.  Phil.  ii.  12,  13.  'Work 
out  your  own  salvation  with  fear  and  trembling,  for  it  is 
God  which  worketh  in  you,  both  to  will  and  to  do  of 
his  good  pleasure.'  Isaiah  lix.  1,  2.  'Behold,  the  Lord's 
hand  is  not  shortened,  that  it  cannot  save;  neither  his 
ear  heavy,  that  it  cannot  hear.  But  your  iniquities  have 
separated  between  you  and  your  God,  and  your  sins  have 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


339 


hid  his  face  from  you,  that  he  will  not  hear.'  John  xv.  14. 
*  Ye  are  my  friends,  if  ye  do  wiiatsoever  I  command  you.' 
Luke  xii.  47.  '  And  that  servant  which  knew  his  lord's 
will,  and  prepared  not  himself,  neither  did  according  to 
his  will,  sliall  be  beaten  with  many  stripes.'  1  Cor.  vi.  20. 
'  For  ye  are  bouglit  with  a  price  :  therefore  glorify  God  in 
your  body,  and  in  your  spirit,  which  are  God's.'  Titus  i.  16. 
'  They  profess  that  they  know  God ;  but  in  works  they  deny 
him,  being  abominable,  and  disobedient,  and  unto  every 
good  work  reprobate.'  Malachi  iii.  8.  'Will  a  man  rob 
God?.  Yet  ye  have  robbed  me :  but  ye  say,  Wherein  have 
we  robbed  thee?  In  tithes  and  offerings.'  Matt.  xxiv.  44. 
'  Therefore  be  ye  also  ready :  for  in  such  an  hour  as  ye 
think  not,  the  Son  of  man  comelh.'  Zech.  i.  6.  '  But  my 
words  and  my  statutes,  which  I  commanded  my  servants 
the  prophets,  did  they  not  take  hold  of  your  fathers?  And 
they  returned  and  said,  Like  as  the  Lord  of  hosts  thought 
to  do  unto  us,  according  to  our  ways,  and  according  to  our 
doings,  so  hath  he  dealt  with  us.'  Luke  xvi.  8.  'And  the 
lord  commended  the  unjust  steward  because  he  had  done 
wisely  :  for  the  children  of  this  world  are  in  their  gen- 
eration wiser  than  the  children  of  light.'  Rev.  xxii.  16. 
'  I  Jesus  have  sent  mine  angel  to  testify  unto  you  these 
things  in  the  churches.  I  am  the  root  and  the  offspring 
of  David,  and  the  bright  and  morning  star.' 

Several  of  these  were  texts  on  which  he  wrote  two 
sermons ;  and  the  above,  with  what  aid  he  had  from  the 
occasional  visits  of  his  brethren  in  the  ministry,  brought 
him  to  the  close  of  the  year  1799. 

God  set  the  seal  of  his  approbation  upon  his  labors,  and 
very  soon  after  his  settlement  in  the  ministry,  a  work  of 
grace  commenced,  which  continued  for  nearly  two  years. 
When  he  addressed  his  people  from  the  pulpit,  there 
was  such  maturity  of  thought,  such  an  exhibition  of 
the  beautiful  proportions  of  divine  truth,  such  harmony 
28  * 


330 


MEMOIR  OF 


and  symmetry  in  inculcating  the  Christian  graces,  it  was 
manifest  that  he  had  carefully  studied  the  whole  of  God's 
revealed  word,  and  in  giving  to  every  one  a  portion, 
Jeaned  on  the  arm  of  Him  who  said,  '  Lo  I  am  with  you 
always' — 'T\Iy  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee.'  After  the 
lapse  of  forty  years,  we  are  permitted  to  speak  of  the 
subjects  of  that  revival  as  of  those  whom  the  Lord  added 
to  the  church.  Some  still  survive,  and  though  they  feel 
that  their  hearts  have  been  smitten  by  the  removal  of  their 
pastor,  they  turn  to  Him  who  smiteth  them,  blessing  him 
for  his  great  kindness  in  sending  to  them  such  a  shep- 
herd. Many  are  fathers  and  mothers  in  Israel,  among 
the  churches  at  the  west,  and  many,  we  trust,  welcomed 
him  who  had  been  their  pastor,  when  he  had  passed 
through  the  dark  valley,  to  the  verge  of  which  he  had 
followed  them,  and  commended  their  souls  to  the  God 
of  all  grace. 

,  ■  This  revival,  early  in  his  ministry,  gave  a  character 
and  direction  to  his  labors,  which  continued  while  he 
lived.  It  deepened  his  sense  of  responsibility  ;  aided  him 
in  rendering  his  preaching  still  more  discriminating  ;  laid 
out  work  for  him  in  his  pastoral  labors,  which  he  pursued 
with  increasing  pleasure  to  himself,  and  profit  to  his  flock, 
till  the  close  of  his  ministry. 

As  it  is  proposed  to  say,  in  this  connection,  all  that 
will  be  said  in  the  volume,  of  his  labors  as  a  preacher 
and  pastox,  it  may  be  observed,  with  truth,  that  to  know 
the  worth  of  the  man,  and  the  amount  of  his  influence, 
no  one  service,  on  any  public  occasion,  could  lead  an 
observer  to  form  any  estimation.  He  never  aimed  to 
make  a  great  eflbrt,  or  a  powerful  impression  that  would 
serve  to  cover  up  a  great  many  defects  and  delinquencies 
on  common  occasions.  It  was  among  his  own  people,  and 
in  the  ordinary  interviews  with  them  in  his  own  pulpit,  in 
the  conference-room,  in  pastoral  visits,  by  the  bed  of  sick- 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


331 


ness^in  tlie  circle  of  mourners;  it  was  in  all  these  details, 
that  he  shone  as  a  teacher  and  pastor.  It  was  his  influ- 
ence as  a  whole,  his  every  day  deportment ;  it  \vas  the 
beautiful  illustration  he  gave  of  sustaining  a  parental 
relation  to  his  flock,  that  Iws  written  upon  so  many  hearts 
his  memory,  never  to  be  eflaced.  Something  of  this  he 
carried  with  him  wherever  he  went.  He  did  not  lay  aside 
the  ministerial  character  w'hen  on  journeys,  or  on  visits  to 
the  towns  where  his  occasional  labors  were  performed. 
He  was  uniformly  the  same  man,  with  the  same  tender- 
ness of  conscience,  and  the  same  interest  in  the  welfare 
of  all  the  souls  around  him.  But  still  it  was  among  hia 
own  beloved  flock,  who  heard  him  from  his  own  pulpit, 
and  in  the  social  meeting,  and  saw  him  in  family  visits, 
and  this  too  year  after  year,  that  there  was  the  brightest 
exhibition  of  what  he  was.  There  was  a  commingling  of 
excellencies  and  proportions  in  his  character,  as  a  min- 
ister, that  furnished  the  great  secret  of  his  influence 
among  his  flock. 

Few  ministers  have  been  so  uniformly  active,  as  the 
subject  of  these  remarks.  Always  punctual  to  his  ap- 
pointments, his  people  never  expected  tliat  any  ordinary 
•occurrence,  such  as  cold,  or  heat,  or  storm,  would  prevent 
the  pastor  from  being  in  his  place.  He  was  icith  his 
people. 

On  all  the  schools  he  had  his  eye.  One  who  was 
associated  with  him  in  his  visits  to  these  fountains  of 
influence,  gives  the  following  details. 

"  Dr.  Hyde  was  remarkable  for  the  discharge  of  every 
duty.  The  education  of  youth  received  much  of  his 
attention.  All  the  schooJs  within  the  bounds  of  his  parish 
were  undei:  his  constant  supervision.  He  visited  them 
systematically  and  examined  them  critically  as  a  matter  of 
duty.    It  was  his  uniform  and  unvarying  practice  to  visit 


332 


MEMOIR  OF 


the  summer  and  winter  schools  near  their  commencement 
and  near  their  close,  making  four  visits  annually  to  each 
school  within  the  town.  This  practice  commenced  with 
his  pastoral  labors  and  closed  only  with  his  life.  For  the 
fifteen  last  years  of  his  estimable  life,  I  was  a  member  of 
his  society,  set  under  his  invaluable  ministry,  and  have 
often  accompanied  him  to  the  village  school  and  wit- 
nessed his  paternal  solicitude  for  the  improvement  of  the 
youngest  portion  of  his  flock.  In  the  discharge  of  this 
duty  he  observed  his  accustomed  punctuality.  He  was 
always  at  the  school-house  at  the  time  appointed.  He 
gave  his  undivided  attention  to  the  exercises  of  the  school. 
No  pupU  escaped  his  notice:  if  there  was  one  present 
whom  he  did  not  recognize,  he  made  inquiry,  for  it  was  a 
principle  with  him  to  know  and  be  conversant  with  every 
child  in  his  parish.  The  examination  was  conducted  by 
the  teacher  after  his  own  manner,  for  a  part  of  the  object 
of  these  visits  was  to  ascertain  the  abilities  and  qualifica- 
tions of  the  teacher.  After  the  teacher  had  examined  a 
class  in  his  own  mode,  Dr.  Hyde  followed  with  such  ques- 
tions to  each  scholar  as  his  experience  dictated,  for  the 
purpose  of  ascertaining  either  the  improvement  or  the 
deficiencies  of  the  pupil.  In  this  manner  each  class  in 
the  school  was  examined  first  by  the  teacher,  and  then  by 
him.  After  the  examination  in  the  appropriate  studies  of 
the  school  was  closed,  he  put  to  each  scholar  one  or  more 
questions  in  relation  to  the  doctrines  or  duties  of  the 
Christian  religion.  He  is  now  visible  to  my  mind's  eye 
as  he  rose  from  his  seat  and  approached  the  youngest 
scholar  in  the  school,  and  in  a  gentle,  kind  and  affectionate 
manner,  called  it  by  name  and  told  it  to  arise,  and  put  to 
it  one  or  two  questions  of  the  following  purport :  Who 
made  you  ?  who  redeemed  you?  who  made  the  world,  the 
brooks,  the  trees,  the  sun,  the  moon  ?  who  made  every 
thing  ?    The  older  pupils  he  examined  in  the  Assembly's 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


333 


Shorter  Catechism.  He  then  made  remarks  upon  the 
appearance  of  the  school  generally,  and  upon  the  n])pear- 
ance  of  each  class.  His  remarks  were  appropriate  and 
just,  and  as  commendatory  as  his  sense  of  duty  would 
permit.  He  never  bestowed  undeserved  praise  or  unmer- 
ited censure.  He  closed  the  exercises  with  a  short  and 
pertinent  prayer,  and  retired,  leaving  a  salutary,  heavenly, 
and  enduring  influence  behind  him." 

The  teachers  welcomed  his  visits  as  those  of  a  father, 
and  they,  found  in  him  a  ready  counsellor.  He  knew  how 
to  adapt  his  addresses  to  the  capacities  of  cliildreu,  and 
in  all  the  schools  in  his  society,  he  appeared  frequently, 
not  to  perform  a  service  as  a  task,  a  drudgery,  but  to 
enjoy  a  deliglitful  privilege,  to  encourage  the  younger 
members  of  his  large  family,  in  the  acquisition  of  useful 
knowledge.  His  was  not  a  fitful  activity.  There  was  no 
meteor-like  splendor  attending  him  for  a  few  months  ;  but 
a  zeal  kindled  at  God's  aliar,  that  shone  brighter  and 
brighter,  for  more  than  forty  years. 

In  the  foregoing  paragraphs  there  is  allusion  to  his  visits 
in  the  chamber  of  sickness.  The  readers  -of  this  sketch 
will  be  gratified  by  the  following  particulars  from  one 
who  speaks  of  things  which  he  knew,  and  testifies  of  that 
which  he  had  seen,  illustrative  of  his  pastoral  character  in 
tliis  respect.  He  subscribes  himself  "One  who  was  often 
with  him  in  his  visits  to  the  sick." 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  Vivid  and  indelible  as  my  impressions  are  of  the 
peculiar  manner  of  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Hyde,  in  the  cham- 
bers of  the  sick  and  dying,  and  in  the  house  of  mourning, 
I  find  myself  incompetent  to  the  task  of  describing  it. 
But  when  I  say  that  in  his  intercourse  with  the  sick  and 
afflicted,  he  was  at  home,  I  only  state  a  fact,  the  truth 


334 


MEMOIR  OF 


of  wliich,  those  who  best  knew  him,  will  cordially  attest. 
Although  the  demands  upon  his  time  were  frequent  and 
urgent,  yet  the  call  from  the  chamber  of  sickness  was 
never  unheeded ;  and  in  visiting  a  dying  parishioner,  he 
doubtless  laid  the  foundation  of  that  disease  which  ter- 
minated his  own  life.  Having  been  frequenily  called  to 
taste  of  the  cup  of  affliction,  in  the  death  of  his  beloved 
children,  he  well  knew  how  to  feel  for  others  in  like  cir- 
cumstances, and  in  him  the  afflicted  ever  found  a  kind 
and  sympathizing  friend,  who  strove  to  comfort  them  with 
the  comibrt  wherewith  he  himself  was  comforted  of  God. 
Acquainted  with  the  various  avenues  to  the  human  heart, 
he  knew  how  to  take  advantage  of  present  circumstances, 
and  of  course  his  conversation  with  the  sick,  and  the 
afflicted,  was  always  peculiarly  appropriate.  To  the 
anxious  sinner  on  the  bed  of  disease  and  death,  he  was 
always  a  welcome  visitor,  for  while  he  earnestly  pressed 
upon  the  tender  and  awakened  conscience  the  uncom- 
promising demands  of  the  divine  law,  yet  in  the  most 
affectionate  manner  he  would  point  the  trembling  soul  to 
the  *  Lamb  of  God  who  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world,' 
and  then  with  peculiar  fervor  commend  it  in  prayer,  to 
the  mercy  of  God  tlirough  a  crucified  Saviour.  How  often 
these  instructions  and  prayers  were  followed  by  genuine 
conversion,  eternity  only  can  unfold.  By  the  timid,  trem- 
bling believer,  on  the  bed  of  death,  he  was  ever  hailed  as 
an  angel  of  mercy,  sent  to  whisper  peace  to  the  departing 
soul,  and  unfold  the  joys  of  the  upper  world,  where  sin 
and  sorrow  never  enter.  I  only  add,  that  few  ministers 
of  the  gospel  have  been  more  welcome  than  he  was  in  the 
almost  daily  scenes  of  sorrow  and  affliction  which  fall  to 
the  lot  of  mortals — few,  who  have  had  more  opportunity 
of  doing  good  to  the  sick  and  the  afflicted,  and  few,  whose 
labors  of  love  in  this  way  have  left  a  more  abiding  im- 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


335 


pression  on  the  minds  of  those  who  survive  to  mourn 
their  loss. 

'  The  sweet  remembrance  of  the  just 
Shall  flourish  while  they  sleep  in  dust.'  " 

The  writer  of  these  remarks,  is  happy  to  lay  down  his 
own  pen  while  he  introduces  to  the  reader  another  cor- 
respondent who  has  kindly  sketched  the  following  delin- 
eation of  his  character  in  one  particular. 

"Sir, 

"You  will  doubtless  receive  from  various  sources, 
ample  testimonies  to  the  excellence  and  usefulness  of  the 
beloved  servant  of  Christ,  whose  memoir  I  have  learned 
that  you  are  compiling ;  but  though  I  could-  wish  that 
what  I  propose  might  be  done  by  an  abler  hand,  I  feel  a 
strong  inclination  to  transmit  to  you  the  impression  which 
many  opportunities  of  familiar  intercourse  with  him  in  his 
own  family,  and  elsewhere,  have  left  on  tl>e  mind  of  a 
private  ,  individual.  And  though  I  would  shrink  from 
appearing  to  take  the  place  of  an  instructor,  well  aware, 
that  that  of  a  learner  only  becomes  me,  I  venture  on  the 
expression  of  the  following  thoughts,  from  the  belief  that 
it  may  be  useful  to  ministers  sometimes  to  have' opportu- 
nity to  look  at  themselves  and  their  influence  through  the 
eyes  of  some  obscure  member  of  community. 

"  There  are  preachers,  who  in  the  pulpit  appear  as  befits 
their  high  character  as  ambassadors  of  God ;  and  from 
Hps  that  seem  touched  with  a  live  coal  from  the  altar, 
pour  forth  the  messages  of  divine  truth,  with  a  power  and 
impressiveness  and  solemnity,  that  bring  an  awe  upon  our 
spirits,  and  we  feel  that  it  would  be  a  privilege  to  have 
intercourse  with  men  who  liave  so  tasted  the  powers  of  the 
world  to  come,  and  to  breathe  the  hallowed  atmosphere 
which  we  imagine  must  be  spread  around  them  wherever 


336 


MEMOIR  OF 


they  go.    But  if  admitted  to  their  society,  our  expectations 

are  disa|)pointed,  the  heavenly  savor  of  the  sermon  is 
looked  for  in  vain  in  the  conversation,  and  if  we  do  not 
witness  absolute  trifling  and  frivolity,  which  we  sometimes 
do  see,  there  is  a  sad  lowering  down  of  the  favorable 
opinions  we  had  entertained  of  their  fervent  devotedness 
to  their  Master's  cause,  and  we  are  pained  by  the  expres- 
sion of  sentiments  and  feelings,  very  much  in  accordance 
with  the  spirit  of  this  world.  Perhaps  we  have  heard 
them  in  the  sanctuary  address  us  from  the  inspired  pre- 
cept, 'Love  not  the  world;'  and  they  have  so  exhibited 
God  and  the  things  of  his  kingdom,  as  to  commend  them 
to  our  minds  as  the  only  worthy  objects  of  our  affections; 
so  depicted  the  uncertainty  and  unsatisfying  nature  of 
earthly  possessions  and  enjoyments,  that  these  seemed 
scarcely  deserving  of  a  thought;  and  yet,  when  we  see 
them  the  next  day,  we  do  not  discover  that  they  estimate 
ihe  world  as  they  have  instructed  us  to  do,  but  it  appa- 
rently holds  about  the  same  place  in  their  calculations  and 
desires  as  in  those  of  other  men. 

"  This  is  not  affirmed  of  ministers,  as  a  class,  and  the 
writer  of  these  paragraphs  has  no  sympathy  with,  those 
who  delight  in  bringing  out  to  view  the  faults  of  Zion's 
watchmen.  Rather  let  my  right  arm  fall  rom  the  shoul- 
der-blade, than  that  I  should  say  a  word  to  weaken  the 
hands  of  men  honored  and  beloved  for  their  work  and 
their  worth,  and  most  of  all  for  tlieir  dear  Master's  sake. 
But  that  there  are  those  in  tlie  sacred  office,  eminent  in 
gifts,  and  standing  high  in  tlie  religious  community,  whose 
daily  intercourse  with  society  is  not  distinctly  charac- 
terized by  the  spirit  of  Christ,  who  can  mingle  with 
worldly  people  and  carry  with  them  no  proof  that  they 
belong  to  a  kingdom  not  of  this  world,  is  a  sorrowful  fact, 
one  which  is  a  grief  of  mind  to  many  of  God's  children, 
and  which  does  very  much  to  render  the  ministry  of  recon- 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


337 


ciliation  powerless.  The  private  deportment  of  such 
ministers,  so  far  as  it  is  known,  effectually  chills  all  the 
warmth  of  pious  feeling  which  their  public  labors  have 
excited,  and  their  influence  it  may  be  is  not  even  less 
baneful  to  the  vitality  and  energy  of  piety  in  the  church, 
than  that  of  ministers  who  have  desecrated  their  sacred 
character  by  open  immoralities ;  for  this  reason,  that  as 
they  are  unimpeached  at  the  tribunal  of  public  opinion, 
they  stand  as  fair  representatives  of  the  order  of  men  to 
which  they  belong.  Without  the  spirit  of  the  gospel  in 
its  primitive  simplicity  and  purity,  living  and  speaking  in 
all  their  ordinary  actions  every  day  in  the  week,  our 
preachers  may  be  men  of  commanding  talents  and  rich 
in  literary  attainments,  but  they  will  make  little  advance 
in  rearing  the  temple  of  God,  because  what  they  build 
with  one  hand  they  pull  down  with  the  other.  They  may 
charm  and  move  us  by  their  eloquence,  but  unless  they 
teach  by  their  example,  the  tide  of  religious  feeling  in  the 
church  will  be  likely  to  experience  a  lower  ebb  in  conse- 
quence of  the  height,  to  which  it  has  been  drawn  by  the 
attractive  influence  of  the  thrilling  voice,  and  speaking 
eye,  and  expressive  gesture,  amidst  the  solemnities  of  the 
public  assembly, 

"Dr.  Hyde's  preaching  was  not  of  a  character  Jo  work 
up  an  audience  to  a  high  pitch  of  excitability,  but  though 
his  calm  and  dispassionate  manner  produced  less  of  visible 
and  temporary  effect  than  that  of  some  others,  the  ac- 
cordance manifest  between  it  and  his  life  was  such,  that 
the  latter  always  strengthened  the  impression  which  the 
former  produced.  His  religious  zeal  was  not  all  expended 
in  the  labors  of  the  «tudy  and  the  services  of  the  desk, 
and  his  ministerial  character  was  never  laid  aside.  If  you 
followed  him  to  the  bosom  of  his  family,  or  saw  him  amid 
the  cheerful  relaxation  of  the  social  circle,  or  observed  his 
business  transactions,  or  marked  his  words  when  sur- 
29 


338 


MEMOIR  OF 


rounded  by  those  who  regarded  not  God,  you  would  every- 
where find  him  the  Christian  minister  ;  and  I  think  it  is 
not  saying  too  much  to  affirm,  that  one  could  scarcely  have 
passed  an  hour  with  him  in  these  or  any  other  circum- 
stances, without  seeing  that  he  lived  for  one  purpose^  and 
that  purpose  was  the  service  of  the  Lord.  He  never  let 
himself  down  to  the  moral  level  of  worldly  people.  He 
always  occupied  his  appropriate  ground  as  a  spiritual 
watchman,  and  his  observant  eye  seemed  to  catch  every 
opportunity  for  introducing  favorably  his  testimony  to  the 
great  truths  and  duties  of  Christianity.  Faithful  in 
watching  over  and  warning,  in  private  conversation,  the 
souls  committed  to  his  care,  he  did  not,  nevertheless,  as 
some  good  men  have  done,  render  his  presence  disagreea- 
ble to  the  unregenerate  portion  of  community,  by  making 
it  his  practice  to  address  them  on  the  subject  of  religion 
in  a  personal  and  pointed  manner  on  every  occasion. 
When  he  did  speak  directly  on  the  state  of  their  souls,  it 
was  with  equal  tenderness  and  fidelity.  His  applications 
of  truth  were  not  harsh,  but  they  were  searching,  and 
those  whom  he  addressed  felt  that  the  speaker  believed 
what  he  said,  and  that  he  expected  to  give  account  to  God. 
He  wag  remarkable  for  the  kind  consideration  and  respect 
with  which  he  treated  all  around  him,  and  he  made  every 
one  feel  at  ease  in  his  presence,  without  being  guilty  of 
that  sort  of  flattery  by  which  some  persons  manage  to 
feed  the  self-complacency  and  secure  the  good  opinion  of 
those  with  whom  they  have  to  do.  There  was  a  dignity 
and  becoming  gravity  in  his  manner  which  gave  weight  to 
his  words  ;  and  his  words,  in  themselves,  more  uniformly 
than  those  of  almost  any  other  man  I  ever  knew,  were 
judicious  and  weighty,  they  were  words  fitly  spoken. 

"  I  have  seen  him  much  in  his  own  family  and  in  the 
houses  of  friends  in  the  vicinity,  whom  he  was  accus- 
tomed to  visit,  both  ministers  and  laymen,  and  this  fact 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


339 


occurs  to  me  as  worthy  of  note,  that  I  never  knew  him 
make  the  subject  of  his  support  a  topic  of  conversation,  nor 
did  I  ever  hear  him  speak  of  his  people  in  the  way  of  fault- 
finding or  complaining.  He  once  told  me  that  a  friend 
had  said  to  him,  '  your  people  have  borne  with  you  be- 
cause you  have  borne  with  them.'  His  was  the  healthful 
influence  of  all-pervading  religious  principle.  It  was  his 
conscientious  and  uniform  regard  to  the  obligations  of 
duty,  which  renders  his  example  a  legacy  to  the  church 
of  no  ordinary  value.  This  was  the  secret  of  his  useful- 
ness, and  of  the  high  estimation  in  which  he  was  held  by 
the  Christian  public.  Among  the  lights  of  our  Israel, 
there  have  been  those  which  emitted  a  more  brilliant 
flame — perhaps  we  can  point  to  few  which  have  burned 
with  a  serener  and  purer  lustre." 

Another  correspondent  writes  as  follows  : 

"  Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 

"  I  greatly  rejoice,  that  you  are  preparing  a  Memoir 
of  the  excellent  pastor  of  my  childhood  and  youth,  the 
late  Rev.  Dr.  Hyde.  In  compliance  with  your  request, 
I  most  cheerfully  state  a  few  recollections  of  that  holy 
and  useful  man.  My  remarks,  with  slight  exception,  will 
relate  to  the  former  half  of  his  ministry — the  time  when  a 
kind  Providence  allowed  me  the  favor  of  his  pastoral  care. 

"  His  fair  youthful  countenance,  his  piercing  eye,  his 
very  grave  and  holy  look,  his  quick  and  energetic  step, 
his  exact  and  emphatic  words,  his  deeply  solemn  tones, 
his  kind  inquiries,  his  faithful  admonitions,  his  lively  in- 
terest in  the  welfare  of  all  about  him,  are  still  vivid  to  me 
as  things  of  yesterday.  This  may  be  owing  in  part  to 
his  uniform  attention  and  kindness  to  the  lambs  of  his 
flock.  For,  like  the  great  Shepherd  of  souls,  he  almost 
literally  '  gathered  the   lambs  in  his  arms,  and  carried 


340 


MEMOIR  OF 


them  in  his  bosom.'  This  early  and  tender  care  of 
children,  was  probably  one  of  tlie  strong  silken  cords,  by 
which  he  so  happily  bound  his  people  to  himself. 

"  During  the  early  years  of  his  ministry,  the  advantages 
of  Sabbath  schools  were  in  this  country  unknown.  It 
was  then  his  custom,  every  autumn,  to  invite  all  the 
children  of  his  congregation,  to  meet  him  some  afternoon, 
at  the  meeting-house.  A  goodly  number  would  come 
together.  Here,  he  would  pray  and  talk  with  them,  in 
all  the  affectionate  earnestness  of  a  father.  He  would 
also  put  questions  to  each  trembling  child,  from  the 
Shorter  Catechism  and  from  the  Scripture  History.  These 
were  seasons  of  deep  and  solemn  interest,  not  only  to  the 
children,  but  to  those  pious  parents  who  were  present  as 
spectators. 

"  Another  way  in  which  he  secured  the  respect  and 
love  of  the  Iambs  of  his  flock,  while  he  contributed  not  a 
little  to  their  intellectual  and  moral  improvement,  was  by 
his  frequent  visits  at  the  several  schools.  The  expecta- 
tion of  these  visits  was  sure  to  give  salutary  impulse  to 
scholars  and  teachers  for  previous  weeks.  As  the  time 
approached,  there  was  much  palpitating  preparation.  Dr. 
Hyde  had  a  rare  faculty  to  make  these  occasions  profitable 
to  all.  And  yet,  you  could  hardly  describe  the  charm,  by 
which  a  whole  school  in  his  presence  would  be  spell- 
bound. It  could  be  felt,  it  was  felt,  from  the  moment  he 
entered  the  room,  till  he  took  his  leave  ;  but  its  elements 
cannot  be  told.  This  however  was  fact  : — He  seemed  to 
take  a  very  lively  interest  in  the  school,  to  see  and  hear 
all  that  was  done,  to  know  every  name,  to  mark  every 
grade  of  improvement,  to  have  some  appropriate  word  of 
encouragement  for  each  class  and  each  scholar.  Yet,  his 
praise  was  not  indiscriminate — if  his  approval  was  often 
delightful,  his  frown  was  sometimes  withering.  He  some- 
how convinced  every  one,  that  he  was  a  personal  friend  ; 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


341 


^fiat  he  liad  come  with  a  father's  tenderness  and  anxiety 
to  see  his  children,  and  promote  their  good,  especially  the 
salvation  of  their  souls.  Oh,  how  very  skilfully  and  af- 
fectionately, at  these  times,  did  he  address  the  listening 
scholars!  And  his  prayer  at  the  close,  how  very  appro- 
priate, and  fervent  and  impressive  1 

"  I  well  remember  another  way  in  which  he  manifest- 
ed solicitude  for  the  good  of  the  young.  Sometimes, 
when  my  parents  sent  me  to  his  house  with  a  small  token 
of  their  regard,  he  would  ask  me  aside  and  address  me 
very  seriously  and  tenderly  on  the  state  of  my  soul.  Once 
in  particular,  it  was  training  day.  The  stirring  drum  and 
fife  were  already  sounding  in  m'y  ears,  and  quickening  the 
pulsations  of  my  heart.  It  was  my  purpose  to  mingle 
with  other  boys  in  the  hilarity  of  the  occasion.  But  the 
good  man  took  me  into  a  retired  room,  and  there  said  to 
me  with  mingled  gravity  and  kindness — his  very  words 
are  yet  fresh,  by  frequent  recollection — '  do  you  think,  C, 
that  you  have  lived  as  you  ought  to  have  done? — Have 
you  come  down  to  spend  the  afternoon  at  training  ? — Do 
you  think  it  right  to  spend  your  precious  time  in  this 
way  V  His  manner  of  saying  these  things  was  inexpressi- 
bly touching.  I  saw  that  he  felt  for  my  neglected  soul. 
My  heart  trembled.  There  was  a  momentary  conflict 
between  duty  and  desire.  But  the  training  was  spoiled 
for  me,  or  rather  I  was  unfitted  to  find  enjoyment  there. 
On  leaving  the  house,  I  had  no  wish  to  join  the  noisy, 
mirthful  company.  I  turned  away,  and  took  my  course 
homeward,  silently,  thoughtfully  1  Whether  this  be  a 
fair  specimen  of  Dr.  Hyde's  usual  custom  to  improve 
his  private  opportunities  with  the  young,  I  am  unable 
to  say. 

"  To  the  preceding  facts  it  were  alike  easy  and  delightful 
to  add  others  of  kindred  cast;— as,  his  frequent  Tuesday 
conference  for  youth ;  his  invitation  sometimes  given  to 
29  * 


342 


MEMOIR  or 


young  converts  and  anxious  persons  to  come  to  his  house, 
at  a  given  time,  for  personal  conversation  ;  liis  faithful 
admonitions  and  affectionate  expostulations  in  view  of 
peculiar  dangers,  to  which  his  ever  open  eye  saw  the 
younger  part  of  his  charge  at  any  time  exposed.  If  some 
of  these  were  caught  in  the  snare  of  the  fowler,  it  was  not 
for  the  want  of  solemn  and  loud  warning  from  the  watch- 
tower  of  their  pastor. 

"  It  would  delight  you,  my  dear  sir,  to  go  and  sit  an 
evening  in  one  of  his  religious  conferences.  And  the 
spiritual  profit  could  scarce  be  less  than  the  pleasure. 
These  meetings  he  was  accustomed  to  hold  weekly,  in 
rotation,  at  the  several  sch»yol-houses  of  his  parish.  They 
were  literally  conferences,  where  the  beloved  and  revered 
minister  held  familiar  conversation  with  not  a  few  of  his 
people.  In  his  own  opinion,  expressed  near  the  close  of 
his  life,  these  meetings  constituted  (he  most  useful  branch 
of  his  parochial  labors.  To  the  cliildren  and  youth  in 
particular,  if  the  experience  of  an  individual  may  be  a 
proper  test,  they  were  far  more  instructive  and  moving 
than  the  more  labored  and  elevated  services  of  the  Sab- 
bath. It  was  his  common  manner,  after  singing  and 
prayer,  to  ask,  if  any  person  in  the  room  had  a  passage  of 
scripture  or  a  question  to  propose  for  consideration.  Very 
often  f5ome  one  would  mention  a  subject.  He  would  then 
put  it  round  the  house,  requesting  the  more  prominent 
individuals  to  state  their  views.  Several  would  commonly 
speak.  He  would  then  give  his  own  opinion.  'I'his  done, 
he  would  inquire,  if  some  would  not  remark  further,  or 
state  objections,  or  propose  queries  in  view  of  what  had 
been  said.  The  first  question  disposed  of,  he  would  call 
for  a  second.  If  all  were  silent,  he  would  himself  propose 
a  subject.  In  this  manner  the  evening  would  pa.ss  rapidly 
away,  and  then  the  conference  would  be  closed  with 
singing  and  prayer.    At  these  meetings,  Dr.  Hyde  would 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


343 


bring  out  the  various  doctrines  and  duties  of  Christianity, 
in  a  manner  so  plain,  so  various,  so  familiar,  tliat  even 
little  children  could  hardly  fail  to  understand  them.  He 
would  also  show  very  happily  his  own  extensive  and 
critical  acquaintance  yvith  the  Bible,  and  his  rare  skill 
in  its  exposition.  Nor  would  he  overlook  the  practical 
bearings  of  the  subjects  discussed.  His  concluding  re- 
marks were  uniformly  solemn,  pointed  and  impressive. 

"Before  laying  down  my  pen,  I  will  just  refer  to  a 
scene  of  thrilling  interest  at  his  house.  It  occurred  near 
the  commencement  of  the  revival  among  his  people  in 
1806-7.  A  young  man  of  his  society  had  begun  to 
indulge  a  trembling  hope  of  salvation.  He  hinted  his 
change  of  views  to  a  pious  sister.  In  the  joy  of  her  heart, 
she  proposed  to  go  with  him,  and  tell  the  good  news  to 
their  pastor.  He  with  some  hesitancy  assented.  They 
made  their  call  in  the  twilight  of  Sabbath  evening.  Soon 
after  they  had  received  the  usual  hearty  welcome,  and 
seated  themselves,  the  female  mentioned  that  her  brother 
would  like  some  conversation  on  the  subject  of  religion. 
The  opportunity  was  eagerly  seized.  His  eyes  brightened, 
and  the  tones  of  his  voice  manifested  most  lively  interest. 
On  learning  that  the  youth  indulged  some  hope,  he  made 
several  inquiries  and  remarks,  that  were  suited  to  guard 
against  deception  in  a  matter  of  this  infinite  moment. 
'Weil,'  he  say.«,  'I  must  go  and  tell  Mrs.  Hyde.'  So 
he  went  into  the  room  where  she  was  sitting,  and  soon 
returned  with  her.  And  now  he  proposed  that  the  little 
company  should  kneel  down  and  praise  the  Lord  together 
for  his  goodness  and  mercy.  It  was  done.  The  inter- 
view was  short,  and_  the  parting  counsel  fitted  to  lead  the 
hopeful  convert  to  '  rejoice  with  trembling.'  " 

The  success  attending  his  labors  in  the  work  he  had 
chosen,  and  his  standing  as  a  preacher  and  a  scholar, 


344 


MEMOIR  OF 


drew  around  him  many  young  men  who  were  preparing 
for  tlie  ministry.  lie  guided  between  thirty  and  forty  in 
their  professional  studies,  and  declined  receiving  under 
his  care  great  numbers  who  made  application.  Of  his 
method  of  instructing,  and  his  qualifications  from  his 
clear  and  enlarged  conceptions  of  divine  truth,  and  more 
especially  from  an  indescribable  charm  in  his  life  and 
example,  so  unassuming,  so  familiar,  and  yet  savoring 
so  much  of  a  sweet  and  heavenly  influence,  it  will  be 
gratifying  to  the  reader  to  have  the  testimony  of  some 
who  have  been  his  pupils.  He  bound  them  to  him  by 
cords  of  love.  They  remember  him  as  a  brother,  by 
whose  kindness  and  familiarity  they  were  aided  in  their 
investigations  and  inquiries  after  truth,  rather  than  as  a 
didactic  instructor.  He  seemed  to  have  the  key  to  their 
hearts,  and  to  enter  in  and  assist  them  in  adjusting  their 
knowledge  of  divine  things,  and  show  them  by  his  own 
example  how  to  use  truth,  rather  than  dictating  to  them. 
His  pupils  have  been  found  among  the  active  and  useful 
laborers  ia  the  Lord's  vineyard.  One  of  his  pupils  has 
drawn  the  following  sketch,  which,  though  it  contains 
some  paragraphs  appropriate  to  another  chapter,  are  in- 
serted in  this  connection. 

"  Enfield,  Oct.  8,  1834. 

"Sir, 

"As  it  was  my  privilege,  during  my  course  of  study 
preparatory  to  the  Christian  ministry,  to  reside  some 
months  in  the  family  of  the  highly  esteemed,  but  now 
deceased,  Dr.  Alvan  Hyde,  of  Lee,  to  avail  myself  of  his 
critical  and  pastoral  instruction,  I  would  hereby  submit  to 
your  disposal,  the  following  things  in  relation  to  his  mode 
of  teaching  theology ;  of  superintending  and  instructing 
his  family  ;  and  his  manner  of  conducting  certain  extra 
religious  exercises  among  the  people  of  his  charge.  His 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


345 


happy  qualifications  for  preaching  the  gospel  are  well 
known,  as  such  his  praise  has  long  been  in  the  churches. 
He  realized  the  sacredness,  the  magnitude,  and  the 
immense  responsibility  of  the  office.  It  is  not  strange, 
therefore,  that  he  should  devote  no  inconsiderable  portion 
of  his  time  in  laboring  to  prepare  many  young,  men  of 
suitable  talents  and  education,  to  whom  God  previously 
imparted,  as  was  believed,  the  primary  qualification  in 
calling  them,  by  his  grace',  for  the  same  work.  Such  was 
the  fact,  and  with  what  success  various  portions  of  the 
Redeemer's  field,  blessed  with  the  ministrations  of  those 
whose  theological  views  were  formed  essentially  under  his 
tuition,  can  testify.  Every  one  acquainted  with  Dr. 
Hyde,  knew  that  he  was  singularly  methodical,  and  his 
mind  thoroughly  disciplined.  He  wished  to  perform  every 
thing  well  which  he  undertook,  and  for  this,  he  aimed  to 
allot  the  proper  time.  With  his  settled  principles  of 
religion  and  mental  philosophy,  uniformly  acted  upon,  it 
might  be  expected  he  would  seek  to  make  those  under  his 
care  systematic  men, — to  think  and  write,  and  converse 
and  preach,  systematically;  always  holding  forth,  that  in 
every  exercise  pertaining  to  the  ministry,  or  in  preparation 
for  it,  the  heart  must  be  quickened,  warmed  and  expanded 
by  the  grace  of  God.  Unless  they  were  systematic  in 
their  course  of  study,  he  had  little  expectation  they  would 
do  any  thing  well,  or  to  much  purpose.  lie  would 
recommend  it  to  them  to  read,  contemplate,  and  write 
upon  subjects,  leaving  it  to  their  discretion  how  to  divide 
their  time  ;  but  he  took  special  care  that  they  pursued 
a  course  corresponding  to  the  order  of  natural  and  re- 
vealed religion.  In  the  commencement  of  their  studies, 
he  endeavored  to  learn  the  peculiar  features  of  their 
minds,  and  generally,  the  extent  of  their  literary  acquisi- 
tions, together  whh  the  precise  object  they  had  in  view  in 
the  study  of  divinity,  that  he  might  form  a  judgment  as  to 


346 


MEMOIR  OF 


the  propriety  of  encouraging  them.  It  was  then  his 
custom  to  furnisli  them  with  a  series  of  questions,  embra- 
cing the  different  subjects  of  theology,  requiring  them  to 
examine  eacli  one  in  the  order,  directing  to  suitable  books 
from  his  library,  which  was  judiciously  selected,  and  for 
the  most  part  sufficiently  large  for  their  accommodation. 
Their  minds  being  thus  supplied  with  materials  obtained 
by  reading  and  reflection,  he  required  them  to  arrange 
their  thoughts  in  written  dissertations,  and  read  to  him. 
These,  as  the  results  of  their  investigations,  he  would 
hear  with  the  accurate  discrimination  of  a  teacher,  and 
with  the  affectionate  solicitude  of  a  parent,  criticising  but 
with  great  candor  upon  the  style,  the  arrangement  of 
thouglit,  and  the  sentiments.  If  there  was  sophistry  in  the 
argument,  he  would  detect  it,  if  it  was  irrelevant  he  would 
expose  it,  and  faithfully  point  out  such  other  defects  as  he 
discovered,  approving,  at  the  same  time,  of  that  which 
was  sound  and  appropriate,  thus  restraining  a  tendency  to 
arrogance  and  self-complacency,  while,  at  the  same  time, 
he  cautiously  forbore  saying  whatever  was  calculated  to 
perplex  or  dishearten.  In  these  exercises,  which  were 
ordinarily  at  such  times  as  not  to  interfere  with  the  regular 
hours  for  study  assigned  to  himself  or  the  students,  he 
endeavored  to  solve  their  questions,  meet  objections,  and 
frequently  introduce  new  trains  of  thought,  and  often 
close  the  sul)ject  with  a  short,  serious  application,  or  by 
proposing  some  question  to  the  pupils,  relating  to  their 
own  religious  experience,  which  served  to  make  an 
abiding  impression  of  the  importance  of  cultivating  spirit- 
uality of  mind,  while  exercising  their  faculties  upon 
doctrinal  and  metaphysical  truths. 

"  While  Dr.  Hyde  encouraged  extensive  reading,  he 
urged  upon  his  pupils  a  thorough  study  of  the  holy  scrip- 
tures, that  their  faith  might  not  stand  in  the  wisdom  of 
men,  but  in  the  power  of  God.    He  let  them  understand 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


347 


that  a  superficial  acquaintance  with  the  oracles  of  God, 
would  never  suffice  for  preachers  of  the  gospel.  With  the 
affectionate  concern  of  a  parent,  he  watched  the  deport- 
ment of  his  pupils,  and  apprised  them  of  whatever  was 
calculated  to  dishonor  religion,  or  impair  their  usefulness. 
He  had,  in  my  opinion,  a  very  happy  faculty  of  eliciting 
the  talents  and  the  best  thoughts  of  those  under  his  care, 
and  would  so  guide  those  of  ordinary  capacities,  that  they 
would  often  attain  to  great  usefulness.  The  friendly 
counsels  which  he  was  accustomed  to  give,  pertaining  to 
the  work  of  preaching  the  gospel,  and  the  duties  of  the 
pastor,  connected  with  his  own  model,  were  of  great  use 
to  those  preparing  for  the  ministry.  They  regarded  him, 
as  well  they  might,  as  a  father,  in  whose  consistent  piety, 
practical  wisdom,  and  sincere  friendship,  they  might  have 
the  highest  confidence.  And  having  '  fully  known  his 
doctrine,  manner  of  life,  faith,  and  patience,'  it  is  believed 
they  have  seldom  departed  from  the  things  which  they 
learned. 

"  Respecting  Dr.  Hyde  as  a  parent  and  head  of  a  family, 
I  would  make  the  following  remarks,  the  correctness  of 
which  will  not  be  disputed  by  any  one  who  has  been  an 
inmate  of  his  dwelling.  There  was  a  dignity  and  a 
gravity,  associated  with  affection  and  a  mildness  of  deport- 
ment, which  convinced  all  around  him  that  he  aimed  at 
their  best  good,  and  whicii  never  failed  to  secure  respect. 
After  long  acquaintance,  I  can  say  that  lie  possessed 
unusual  equanimity,  that  I  never  knew  him  agitated,  or 
ruffled  in  his  feelings,  and  that  he  was  always  ready,  un- 
less occupied  with  higher  matters,  to  attend  to  the  differ- 
ent affairs  of  his  household.  He  possessed  the  rare  talent 
of  adapting  his  instructions  to  his  children  in  the  different 
periods  from  early  childhood  to  mature  age,  mingling  such 
remarks,  anecdotes,  and  scriptural  incidents,  as  served  to 
gain  their  attention,  and  lead  to  habits  of  reading  and 


348 


MEMOIR  OF 


proper  reflection.  He  seldom  resorted  to  corporeal  pun- 
ishment, but  counseled,  reasoned,  and  rebuked,  '  always 
showing  tlie  good  and  right  way,'  and  his  children  were 
willingly  obedient.  There  was  in  his  house  a  delightful 
specimen  of  parental  authority  and  filial  subordination. 
Always  frugal  of  time  himself,  he  taught  his  children  and 
domestics  to  improve  it  for  a  valuable  purpose,  by  which 
they  were  enabled  to  perform  their  respective  tasks  with 
ease,  and  at  a  proper  time.  The  harmonious  movements 
of  his  family,  under  his  superintendence,  were  very  notice- 
able. Regarding  his  children  as  intellectual  and  account- 
able beings,  his  great  aim  was  to  educate  them  for  use- 
fulness ;  to  fit  them  for  the  service  of  Christ.  Believing 
that  the  '  mercy  of  the  Lord  is  from  everlasting  to 
everlasting,  upon  them  that  fear  him,  and  his  righteous- 
ness unto  children's  children,  to  such  as  keep  his  cove- 
nant, and  to  those  that  remember  his  commandments  to 
do  them;'  he  strove  to  imbue  his  children's  minds  with  the 
great  principles  of  religion,  and  thus  to  fortify  them  against 
the  errors  in  opinion  and  practice,  to  which  they  might  be 
exposed,  placing  his  sole  dependence  upon  the  grace  of 
God  for  their  salvation.  The  simplicity  and  fervor  of  his 
prayers,  bespoke  not  only  his  solicitude  for  their  eternal 
well-being,  but  the  strong  hold  he  had  upon  the  promises 
of  God's  everlasting  covenant.  The  performance  of  the 
morning  and  evening  devotions  in  the  family,  were  such 
as  always  struck  the  Christian  visitor  with  peculiar  delight. 
They  were  commenced  by  the  reading  of  a  suitable  por- 
tion of  scripture,  in  which  several  members  took  a  part, 
then  the  singing  of  a  short  psalm  or  hymn,  which  was 
followed  with  a  prayer,  happily  adapted  to  the  circum- 
stances of  those  present.  A  stranger,  on  such  occasions, 
could  not  but  feel  that  it  is  a  solemn  duty  and  high  privi- 
lege to  address  God ;  that  it  is  a  '  good  thing  to  give 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


349 


thanks  and  to  sing  praises  unto  his  name,  to  show  forth 
his  loving  kindness  in  the  morning,  and  his  faithfnhiess 
every  night.'  In  this  respect,  Dr.  Hyde  was  singularly 
worthy  of  imitation.  Though  I  have  resided  for  a  longer 
or  shorter  time  in  more  than  twenty  different  families,  I 
can  safely  say  I  never  knew  his  equal  fn  this  respect, 
where  the  management  of  the  family,  the  domestic  con- 
cerns, the  education  of  the  children,  and  the  devotional 
exercises,  were  so  much  in  accordance  with  the  rules  of 
Christianity.  If  they  were  ever  to  be  useful  in  either  of 
the  learned  professions,  or  in  other  occupations,  he  acted 
upon  tlie  belief  that  there  must  be  a  suitable  training  in 
early  life.  If  there  was  any  fault  in  his  manner,  it  proba- 
bly consisted  in  a  little  want  of  ease  and  affability.  The 
impression  was  sometimes  made  upon  strangers,  that  he 
was  rather  precise  and  formal.  This,  however,  would  be 
almost  removed  on  becoming  acquainted  with  the  upright- 
ness and  simplicity  of  his  heart.  For,  aware  of  his  moral 
responsibility,  he  always  meant  to  be  faithful — ^to  speak 
the  simple  verity,  and  to  vindicate  the  truth,  without  being 
moved  by  the  opinions  or  customs  of  others.  But  so  far 
as  that  trait  of  character  existed,  and  perhaps  it  did  in 
some  degree,  it  was  partly  natural,  and  more  especially 
consequent  upon  that  fear  of  God,  and  deep  impression  of 
his  obligation  to  God,  and  those  about  him,  which  was  a 
predominating  principle  through  his  whole  ministerial  life. 
For  a  faithful  minister  of  Clirist,  is  one  that  '  ruleth  well 
his  own  house,  having  his  children  in  subjection  with  all 
gravity ;  (for  if  a  man  know  not  how  to  rule  his  own 
house,  how  shall  he  take  care  of  the  church  of  God?') 
From  families  thus  regulated,  thus  instructed,  the  church 
has  been  greatly  supplied  with  active  members ;  a  seed 
that  should  be  counted  to  the  Lord  for  a  generation. 
'  The  curse  of  the  Lord  is  in  the  house  of  the  wicked,  but 
30 


350 


MEMOIR  OF 


he  blesseth  the  habitation  of  the  just.'  Happy  for  our 
land  did  each  united  house, 

'  Morning  and  night,  present  its  vows, 
If  servants  there,  and  lising  race, 
Were  taught  the  precepts  of  God's  grace.' 

"  A  few  remarks  upon  one  other  topic,  will  close  this 
letter.  I  refer  to  Dr.  Hyde's  mode  of  conducting  certain 
extra  religious  e.vercises.  As  subordinate  to  the  great 
ends  of  pulpit  instruction,  he  was  accustomed,  I  believe, 
through  the  whole  of  his  ministry,  to  attend  religious 
meetings  more  or  less  during  the  week,  in  different  parts 
of  the  town,  according  to  the  wants  and  circumstances 
of  his  people.  These  were  conducted,  sometimes  in  the 
way  of  a  regular  lecture  ;  sometimes  by  reading  a  short 
essay  or  sermon  from  some  evangelical  writer,  with  the 
addition  of  his  own  remarks ;  and,  frequently,  in  the 
form  of  a  conference,  in  the  following  manner.  Some 
one  present,  as  liberty  was  given,  would  propose  a  passage 
of  scripture  for  consideration.  Dr.  H.  would  then  call 
upon  several  male  members,  especially  senior  brethren, 
to  offer  their  thoughts  upon  it  in  order ;  after  which,  he 
would  give  his  own  views,  together  with  a  summary  of 
what  had  been  said  by  the  others.  These  meetings  were 
highly  instructive — served  to  give  his  people  a  relish  for 
the  scriptures,  and  a  correct  view  of  the  doctrines  con- 
tained in  them,  and  thus  proved,  unquestionably,  a  happy 
means,  among  others,  of  those  blessed  revivals,  which 
were  enjoyed  under  his  ministry.  He  always  labored  to 
instruct  his  people  in  the  truth,  fidly  convinced  that  those 
pious  resolutions  and  frames  of  feeling  which  were  not 
based  upon  a  correct  understanding  of  divine  truth,  would 
be  of  short  duration.  In  the  latter  years  of  his  ministry, 
especially  a  few  months  before  his  death,  these  e.xtra 
meetings  were  greatly  multiplied.     For  a  considerable 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


351 


time,  he  undertook  to  attend  one  every  evening  in  the 
week.  This,  I  am  well  aware,  (having  had  an  interview 
with  him,  at  his  own  house,  about  two  months  before  his 
death,)  he  deemed  necessary  ;  especially  as  an  excitement 
of  a  somewhat  novel  character,  and  upon  which,  different 
opinions  existed  among  professing  Christians,  as  to  the 
ultimate  benefits  to  the  cause  of  religion,  prevailed  in  the 
place,  as  well  as  other  towns  in  the  county.  But  it  is 
very  much  to  be  doubted,  whether  he  did  not,  in  this 
thing,  transcend  the  limits  of  duty,  especially  at  his  ad- 
vanced age.  These  unremitted  exertions,  together  with 
his  inordinate  pressure  of  mind  in  relation  to  the  state 
of  his  flock,  as  he  expressed  to  me  at  the  time,  were, 
probably,  a  means  of  weakening  his  strength,  and  short- 
ening his  course  on  earth.  It  is  certainly  very  ques- 
tionable, whether  a  minister,  even  in  sound  health, 
seeking  the  best  good  of  the  church,  ought  to  yield  to 
the  inclinations  of  a  portion  of  his  people  for  extra 
meetings,  when  these  become  excessive,  and  leave  little 
or  no  time  for  retirement  and  sober  reflection.  In  view 
of  present  and  future  consequences,  he,  at  such  times, 
needs  peculiarly  that  wisdom  which  is  from  above. 

"I  may  say  of  Dr.  H.,  as  was  said  of  Leighton,  'with 
a  mind  richly  furnished  with  knowledge,  he  seems  to 
have  been  ambitious  only  of  being  useful — of  writing, 
conversing,  and  preaching,  in  such  a  manner  as  to  be 
understood  by  the  plainest  minds,  and  to  do  them  the 
most  good.  Hence  in  his  writings,  there  was  little  of  the 
pMlosophtf  of  religion.  Writing  for  common  minds,  he 
was  content  with  the  facts  and  duties  of  the  gospel. 
These  he  turned  to  the  best  account.  His  object  was  to 
make  .stable,  active  Christians  ;  to  set  men  to  doing  the 
will  of  God ;  to  make  men  better,  by  leading  them  to 
imbibe  more  of  the  sweet,  beneficent,  fruitful  piety,  the 
want  of  which  among  men,  he  So  feelingly  deplored.' 


352 


MEMOIR  OF 


His  work  is  done,  and  he  lias  gone  to  give  up  his  account, 
I  fully  believe,  with  the  joy  of  those,  who  have  been  in- 
strumental, through  grace,  of  turning  many  to  righteous- 
ness. Few  of  Christ's  servants,  I  ap^irehend,  could 
repeat  the  words  of  the  apostle  more  appropriately — '  I 
have  not  run  in  vain,  neither  labored  in  vain.' 
"  I  am,  dear  sir,  yours  affectionately, 

"  Francis  L.  Robbins."  ■ 

In  his  interviews  with  his  brethren  in  the  ministry, 
the  subject  of  this  memoir  exerted  an  influence  of  a  very 
healthful  character.  His  house  was  a  home  for  ministers. 
In  all  the  ecclesiastical  meetings  he  took  a  lively  interest, 
and  was  always  ready  to  perform  his  part  to  render  them 
instructive  in  the  great  concerns  of  personal  holiness,  and 
efficient  organs  of  good  to  -the  interests  of  Zion.  While 
he  was  far  from  encouraging  any  thing  bordering  upon 
levity  on  the  one  hand,  he  was  equally  removed  from  any 
thing  like  gloom,  or  suppressing  Christian  cheerfulness,  on 
the  other.  For  the  last  twenty  years,  scarcely  an  ecclesi- 
astical council  was  convened  in  the  county,  of  which  he 
was  not  a  member  ;  and  so  well  balanced  was  his  mind, 
that  his  judgment  always  had  weiglit.  That  order  of  the 
churches  which  has  rendered  Berkshire  county  one  of  the 
most  lovely  heritages  on  earth,  and  most  efficierrt  in  pro- 
moting the  interests  of  Christ's  kingdom,  was  very  dear 
to  his  heart. 

In  all  the  benevolent  institutions  of  the  age,  he  was  a 
most  cordial  coadjutor.  They  formed  topics  for  his  con- 
versation ;  they  were  often  introduced  in  his  sermons,  and 
had  a  large  proportion  of  petitions  and  praises  in  his 
devotional  exercises,  and  his  co-operation  in  all  ways  in 
which  they  could  be  aided. 

For  more  than  thirty  years.  Dr.  Hyde  was  associated 
with  the  friends,  patrons,  and  trustees  of  Williams  college. 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


353 


The  punctuality,  fidelity  and  ability,  with  which  he  dis- 
charged his  duties  in  relation  to  that  institutioi],  his  effi- 
cient counsels  during  all  the  trials  with  which  it  has  had 
to  struggle,  and  his  so  identifying  himself  with  all  its 
interests,  point  him  out  as  one  of  its  most  munificent 
benefactors.  The  man  is  not  living,  to  whom  it  owes  so 
much.    He  was  its  tried  friend. 

~  A  brother  in  the  ministry,  and  during  most  of  the  years 
of  which  he  speaks  his  fellow-laborer  in  promoting  the 
interests  of  the  college,  writes  as  follows. 

"  Dr.  Hyde  was  a  member  of  the  corporation  of  Wil- 
liams college  thirty-one  years,  and  held  the  office  of  vice 
president  from  1812,  to  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was 
chairman  of  the  prudential  committee  of  the  board,  twenty- 
three  years.  In  all  these  relations  to  the  college,  he  dis- 
charged the  duties  that  devolved  upon  him  to  the  entire 
approbation  both  of  the  students  and  of  the  trustees.  He 
never  failed  to  attend  on  all  the  meetings  appointed  by 
the  committee  or  trustees,  unless  necessarily  prevented. 
Whenever'  he  took  part  in  the  public  examination  of  the 
students,  he  manifested  a  discriminating  mind,  and  a 
thorough  acquaintance  with  the  elementary  principles  of 
the  science  to  which  his  questions  related.  He  wbs  a 
patron  of  the  college  from  the  time  of  its  organization". 
Its  interests  lay  near  his  heart,  and  in  measures  to  pro- 
mote them,  he  was  uniformly  active  dnd  zealous.  In 
seasons  of  its  depression,  and  of  perplexity  in  its  affairs, 
the  part  which  he  bore  in  the  discussions  of  the  board, 
was  always  marked  with  candor,  dignity,  and  wisdom. 
His  presence  always  forbade  the  rude  approach  of  im- 
pertinence. His  fervent  piety,  and  of  course,  his  scru- 
pulous regard  to  duty,  gave  character  to  all  his  transactions 
of  business  in  relation  to  the  college.  He  was  doubtless 
the  most  efficient  man  in  the  management  of  its  concerns, 
30  * 


354 


MEMOIR  OF  ALVAN  HYDE. 


and  has  probably  done  more  to  promote  its  prosperity^ 
than  any  other  man." 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  president  and  trustees  of  Wil- 
liams college,  on  the  20th  day  of  August,  A.  D.  1834, 
the  following  resolutions  were  adopted  : 

"  Whereas  it  has  pleased  God  in  his  providence  to  re- 
move, by  death,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Alvan  Hyde,  who  was  for 
many  years  an  important  and  useful  member  of  the  board 
of  trustees,  and  vice  president  of  Williams  college, 
therefore, 

"  Resolved,  That  the  secretary  make  known  to  the 
bereaved  widow  and  family  of  Dr.  Hyde,  the  tender 
sympathies  of  the  members  of  this  board  with  them  in 
their  deep  affliction,  occasioned  by  his  death. 

"  Resolved,  That  we  will  cherish  a  grateful  remem- 
brance of  the  many  virtues  manifested  by  the  deceased  in 
the  various  relations  of  life  which  he  sustained,  especially 
of  the  long  and  laborious  services  which  he  performed,  in 
promoting  the  best  interests  of  this  college. 

"  Resolved,  That  this  testimony  of  the  sincere  venera- 
tion which  is  felt  by  the  members  of  this  board  for  the 
character  of  Dr.  Hyde,  as  a  man,  a  Christian,  a  minister 
of  the  gospel,  a  uniform  patron  of  Williams  college,  and 
an  ardent  and  active  friend  of  the  benevolent  institutions 
of  the  present  day,  which  are  designed  to  ameliorate  the 
character  and  condition  of  man,  be  placed  on  the  records 
of  this  college. 

"  Daniel  N.  Dewey,  Secretary." 


CHAPTER  XII. 


REVIVALS   UNDER  HIS  MINISTRY. 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  sketch  of  Dr.  Hyde  would  be  essentially 
defective,  without  a  chapter  on  revivals.  And  though 
near  the  close  of  his  life,  he  prepared  a  succinct  account 
of  the  seasons  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the 
Lord,  which  occurred  under  his  ministry,  together  with 
the  nieasures  which  he  pursued  to  promote  them  ;  still  it 
may  not  be  out  of  place  here,  to  say  some  things  respect- 
ing his  labors  and  his  views  on  this  subject,  which  he 
did  not  himself  say.  He  loved  revivals.  He  prayed  for 
special  divine  influence,  and  when  any  indications  ap- 
peared that  his  prayer  was  answered,  there  was  a  pure 
and  elevated  delight  in  the  performance  of  the  increased 
labors  which  devolved  on  him  at  such  a  time.  There 
seemed  to  be  an  illustration  of  the  te.\t,  "  They  that  wait 
upon  the  Lord  shall  renew  their  strength ;  they  shall  mount 
up  with  wings  as  eagles;  they  shall  run  and  not  be  weary; 
and  they  shall  walk  and  not  faint."  He  pursued  a  course 
of  labor  in  such  seasons  month  after  month  and  year  after 
year,  for  some  of  these  periods  were  thus  prolonged,  with 
increasing  delight.  He  did  not  run  himself  out  of  breath, 
but  his  course  was  one  of  constant,  efficient,  skilfully 
directed  effort,  as  he  was  able  to  bear  it,  enduring  to  the 


056 


MEMOIR  OF 


end.  The  secret  of  this  was,  his  love  for  revivals.  He 
saw  in  them  the  grace  of  God,  and  was  glad. 

It  is  worthy  of  inquiry,  wliether  some  light  is  not  yet 
to  break  forth  respecting  the  best  measures  to  be  adopted 
for  promoting  revivak,  so  fiir  as  human  instrumentality 
is  concerned,  by  historical  investigation.  Does  not  the 
history  of  the  church  in  Lee,  for  forty  years,  show,  that  a 
course  may  be  pursued  which  will  allow  truth  to  have 
its  appropriate  hold  upon  the  conscience,  that  moral 
obligation  may  be  successfully  pressed  and  there  be  no 
painful  reaction,  endangering  the  permanency  of  the 
ministry,  the  peace  of  the  church,  and  the  welfare  of  souls  1 
Has  there  not  been  in  some  places  machinery  used, 
which  quickly  wears  itself  out,  and  renders  the  same 
mode  of  pperation  entirely  inefficacious  with  the  same 
generation  ?  Are  there  not  places  which  have  been  burnt 
over,  where  no  green  thing  survives,  and  moral  desolation 
becomes  visible,  and  this  so  strongly  marked  as  a  conse- 
quence of  the  measures  adopted,  as  to  put  it  beyond  all 
dispute,  that  these  human  imperfections  marred  the  work 
of  God  and  grieved  away  the  Holy  Spirit  t  Those  revi- 
vals, or  rather  excitements,  where  error  is  preached,  and 
measures  are  adopted,  accordant,  neither  with  scripture 
nor  the  laws  of  the  human  mind,  must  be  shortlived,  and 
followed  ^vith  incalculable  evils.  They  not  only  bring 
real  religion  into  discredit,  but  they  pervert  the  moral 
sensibilities,,  and  render  the  condition  of  those  whose 
misfortune  it  has  been  to  be  within  their  influence,  more 
hopeless  than  that  of  those  who  were  never  excited  in 
any  degree. 

The  subject  of  this  memoir  was  aware  of  this,  and  was 
deeply  impressed  with  the  importance  of  avoiding,  as 
much  as  possible,  all  measures  which  were  calculated  to 
render  religious  feeling  fitful,  irregular,  and  of  course 
transient.    It  seemed  to  be  a  settled  principle  in  his  mind, 


ALVAN  flYDE. 


357 


that  the  kingdom  of  Christ  would  certainly  rise  by  means 
which  God  has  himself  instituted  and  which  primitive 
Christians  began  to  employ,  that  it  is  a  kingdom  which 
cannot  be  moved,  and  he  earnestly  implored  and  diligently 
cultivated  grace  whereby  he  might  serve  God  acceptably 
with  reverence  and  godly  fear.  His  mind  never  seemed 
to  lose  its  balance  in  times  of  the  most  powerful  religious 
impression  among  his  people,  but  then  the  common  duties 
were  performed  with  a  sweeter  relish,  and  what  was  more 
characteristic  of  him  still,  the  more  powerful  the  opera- 
tions of  God's  Spirit,  the  more  wisdom  he  seemed  to 
discover  in  the  plainest  truths  and  duties  in  the  Bible. 
Here,  unquestionably,  is  the  cause  of  most  irregularities  in 
revivals,  and  one  of  the  principal  reasons  why  they  are  of 
so  short  continuance.  The  minds  of  Christians  and  min- 
isters are  thrown  into  a  paroxysm,  which  is  not  only  un- 
natural, but  peculiarly  unfavorable  to  the  performance  of 
the  quiet  duties  upon  which  God  sets  a  great  value. 

One  of  whom  the  world  was  not  worthy  said,  '  I  think 
that  the  management  of  a  revival  is  a  very  difficult  thing. 
It  is,  I  believe,  a  subject  as  yet  but  very  imperfectly 
understood.  At  least,  I  know  but  very  little  about  it.' 
Another,  to  whom  the  churches  are  under  great  obliga- 
tions, and  have  reason  to  glorify  God  in  him,  has,  in  one 
of  the  happiest  efforts  of  his  pen,  after  briefly  but  vividly 
portraying  some  of  the  dangers  of  our  country,  directed  to 
the  'only  source  of  hope,  God,  and  the  interposition  of 
his  Holy  Spirit  in  great  and  general  revivals  of  religion  to 
reform  the  hearts  of  this  people  and  make  the  nation  good 
and  happy,'  shown  most  conclusively,  that  '  force,  and  the 
cultivation  of  the  intellect,  and  orthodox  creeds,  and  a 
faithful  ministry,  and  evangelical  churches,  and  the  best 
church  organization,  are  all  utterly  impotent  in  affording 
MS  any  protection  as  a  nation.    We  must  look  to  the 


358 


MEMOIR  OF 


grace  of  God  in  revivals.  Every  other  hope  must  termi- 
nate in  disappointment  and  despair.' 

Tliat  there  will  be  revivals  more  pure,  more  lasting,  of 
more  frequency  and  of  wider  extent  than  have  ever  yet 
been  witnessed,  every  believer  in  God's  word  -is  confident. 
There  can  be  no  disappointment  in  this,  for  the  mouth  of 
the  Lord  hath  spoken  it. 

That  the  minister  whose  labors,  in  a  series  of  revivals 
among  his  people,  are  in  this  chapter  detailed  by  himself, 
was  more  honored  than  his  brethren,  he  never  for  a  mo- 
ment supposed.  He  felt  his  great  deficiencies,  he  mourn- 
ed over  them,  he  took  a  low  place  before  God,  on  account 
of  them,  and  was  ready,  as  we  have  seen  in  his  letters 
and  his  diary,  to  bear  testimony  against  himself  for  his 
inexcusable  delinquencies,  but  the  Lord  was  pleased  to 
crown  his  labors  with  more  than  ordinary  success.  Truth 
as  exhibited  by  him,  was  approved  of  God,  and  through 
the  operations  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  found  its  way  to  the 
consciences  of  men,  and  the  means  he  used  were  of  a 
healthfjul  character,  they  did  not  lose  their  interest,  but 
were  efficacious  to  an  extent  scarcely  known  in  the  most 
favored  sections  of  New  England. 

The  following  letter  to  Rev.  Dr.  Sprague,  contains  a 
connected  view  of  the  revivals  under  his  ministry,  and 
tlie  means  by  which  they  were  promoted. 

«  Lee,  March  22,  1832. 

"  Dear  Brother, 

"In  compliance  with  your  particular  request,  I  now 
commence  a  concise  narrative  of  the  work  of  God's  Holy 
Spirit,  in  reviving  religion,  at  several  periods,  among  the 
people  of  my  pastoral  charge.  Conscious  of  the  many 
defects '^vl1icll  have  been  attached  to  my  ministry,  I  en- 
gage in  this  service  with  diffidence,  and  yet  1  humbly 
hope,  with  a  sincere  desire  that  the  great  Head  of  the 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


359 


chtirch  may  thereby  be  glorified.  What  J  shall  commu- 
nicate, will  be  a  simple  and  unvarnished  statement  of  facts, 
which  my  own  eyes  have  seen  and  my  own  ears  have 
heard,  taken  from  minutes  which  I  made,  at  the  time  they 
occurred.  These  facts  will  develope  the  astonishing 
mercy  of  God  to  a  guilty  people,  and  to  the  unworthy  in- 
strument, who  has  stood  for  so  many  years  as  their  spiritual 
teacher  and  guide.  It  will  be  seen,  as  I  proceed  in  the 
narrative,  what  doctrines  were  preached,  and  what  means 
and  measures  were  adopted,  both  before  these  revivals 
commenced,  and  while  they  were  in  progress. 

"  The  first  season  of  '  refreshing  from  the  presence  of 
the  Lord,'  which  this  people  enjoyed,  commenced  in  June 
1792,  a  few  days  after  the  event  of  my  ordination.  There 
was,  at  this  time,  no  religious  excitement  in  this  region  of 
country,  nor  had  I  knowledge  of  there  being  a  special 
work  of  God's  grace  in  any  part  of  the  land.  The  church 
here  was  small  and  feeble,  having  only  twenty-one  male 
members  belonging  to  it.  It  was,  however,  a  little  praying 
band,  and  they  were  often  together,  like  the  primitive 
Christians,  continuing  with  one  accord  in  prayer.  Im- 
mediately on  being  stationed  here,  as  a  watchman,  I  in- 
stituted a  weekly  religious  conference,  to  be  holden  on 
each  Wednesday,  and,  in  succession,  at  the  various  school- 
houses  in  the  town.  These  were  well  attended  in  every 
district,  and  furnished  me  with  favorable  opportunities  to 
instruct  the  people,  and  to'prcsent  the  truths  of  the  gospel 
to  the  old  and  young  in  the  most  plain  and  familiar  man- 
ner. This  weekly  meeting  has  been  sustained  to  the 
present  time,  without  losing  any  of  its  interest ;  and  when 
I  have  been  at  home,  has  carried  me  around  the  town,  as 
regularly  as  the  weeks  have  returned. 

"  With  a  view  to  form  a  still  more  particular  acquaint- 
ance with  the  people  committed  to  my  charge,  I  early 
began  to  make  family  visits  in  dilferent  sections  of  the 


360 


MEMOIR  OF 


town.  These  visits,  of  which  I  made  a  number  in  the 
course  of  a  week,  were  improved  wholly  in  conversing  on 
the  great  subject  of  religion,  and  in  obtaining,  with  as 
much  correctness  as  I  could,  a  knowledge  of  their  spiritual 
state,  that  my  instructions  on  the  Sabbath,  and  at  the 
weekly  meetings,  might  be  better  adapted  to  their  case. 
This  people  liad  been  for  nine  years  without  a  pastor,  and 
were  unhappily  divided  in  their  religious  opinions.  Some 
were  Calvinists,  and  favored  the  church,  but  the  largest 
proportion  were  Arminians.  And  as  they  had  been  in 
the  habit  of  maintaining  warm  disputes  with  each  other 
on  the  doctrines  of  the  Bible,  I  calculated  on  having  to 
encounter  many  trials.  Contrary  to  my  expectations,  I 
found,  on  my  first  visits,  many  persons  of  different  ages, 
under  serious  and  very  deep  impressions,  each  one  sup- 
posing his  own  burdens  and  distresses  of  mind,  on  account 
of  his  sins,  to  be  singular,  not  having  the  least  knowledge 
that  any  others  were  awakened.  It  was  evident,  that  the 
Lord  had  come  into  the  midst  of  us  in  the  greatness  of 
his  power,  producing  here  and  there,  and  among  the 
young  and  old,  deep  conviction  of  sin,  and  yet  it  was  a 
still  small  voice.  A  marvellous  work,  was  begun,  and  it 
bore  the  most  decisive  marks  of  being  God's  work.  So 
great  was  the  excitement,  though  not  yet  known  abroad, 
that  into  whatever  section  of  the  town  I  now  went,  the 
people  in  that  immediate  neighborhood,  would  leave  their 
worldly  employments,  at  any  hour  of  the  day,  and  soon 
fill  a  large  room.  Before  I  was  aware,  and  without  any 
previous  appointment,  I  found  myself,  on  these  occasions, 
in  the  midst  of  a  solemn  and  anxious  assembly.  Many 
were  in  tears,  and  bowed  down  under  the  weight  of  their 
sins,  and  some  began  to  rejoice  in  hope.  These  seasons 
were  spent  in  prayer  and  exhortation,  and  in  conversing 
with  the  anxious,  and  with  such  as  had  found  relief,  by 
submitting  themselves  to  God,  adapting  my  instruction  to 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


361 


their  respective  cases.  This  was  done  in  the  hearing  of 
all  who  were  present.  Being  then  a  youth,  who  had  seen 
but  twenty-four  years,  and  inexperienced,  I  felt  weak  in- 
deed ;  and  was  often  ready  to  sink  under  this  vast  weight 
of  responsibility.  But  the  Lord  carried  me  along  from 
one  interesting  scene  to  another.  I  was  governed,  in  my 
movements,  by  what  appeared  to  me  to  be  the  exigencies 
of  the  people. 

"As  yet  there  had  been  no  public  religious  meeting, 
excepting  on  the  Sabbath.  A  weekly  lecture,  at  the 
meeting-house,  was  now  appointed,  to  be  on  Thursday  ; 
and  though  it  was  in  the  most  busy  season  of  the  year,  the 
house  was  filled.  This  lecture  was  continued  for  more 
than  six  months,  without  any  abatement  of  attention  ;  in 
sustaining  which,  I  was  aided  by  neighboring  ministers, 
and  by  numbers  from  a  distance,  who  came  to  witness 
this  display  of  sovereign  grace.  The  former  disputes  of 
the  people,  respecting  religious  sentiments,  in  a  great 
measure  subsided,  their  consciences  seeming  to  testify  in 
favor  of  the  truth.  The  work  spread  into  every  part  of 
the  town,  and  what  was  worthy  of  special  notice,  it  was 
entirely  confined  within  the  limits  of  the  town,  excepting 
in  the  case  of  a  few  families,  which  usually  attended 
public  worship  with  us,  from  the  borders  of  the  adjacent 
towns.  Especially  powerful  was  the  work  among  those, 
who  had  taken  their  stand  in  opposition  to  the  small 
church,  and  the  distinguishing  doctrines  of  grace.  Many 
of  this  class  were  convinced,  that  they  had  always  lived 
in  error  and  darkness,  and  in  a  state  of  total  alienation 
from  God.  They  were  compelled,  notwithstanding  their 
former  hatred  of  the  prominent  truths  of  the  gospel,  to 
make  the  interesting  inquiry,  What  shall  we  do  to  be 
saved  ? 

"  The  truths  which  I  exhibited  in  my  public  discourses, 
and  in  the  many  meetings  between  the  Sabbaths,  were  in 
31 


362 


MEMOIR  OF 


substance  the  following  : — the  holiness  and  immutability 
of  God ;  the  purity  and  perfection  of  his  law ;  the  entire 
depravity  of  the  heart,  consisting  in  voluntary  opposition 
to  God  and  holiness  ;  the  fullness  and  all-sufficiency  of  the 
atonement  made  by  Christ ;  the  freeness  of  the  offer  of 
pardon,  made  to  all,  on  condition  of  repentance ;  the 
necessity  of  a  change  of  heart,  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  arising 
from  the  deep-rooted  depravity  of  men,  which  no  created 
arm  could  remove  ;  the  utter  inexcusableness  of  sinners, 
in  rejecting  the  kind  overtures  of  mercy,  as  they  acted 
freely  and  voluntarily  in  doing  it ;  and  the  duty  and 
reasonableness  of  immediate  submission  to  God.  These 
are  some  of  the  truths,  which  God  appeared  to  own  and 
bless,  and  which,  through  the  agency  of  the  Spirit,  were 
made  'quick  and  powerful,  and  sharper  than  any  two- 
edged  sword.' 

"All  our  religious  meetings  were  very  much  thronged, 
and  yet  were  never  noisy  or  irregular,  nor  continued  to  a 
late  hour.  They  were  characterized  with  a  stillness  and 
solemnity,  which,  I  believe,  have  rarely  been  witnessed. 
The  converts  appeared  to  renounce  all  dependence  on 
their  own  doings,  feeling  themselves  entirely  destitute  of 
righteousness,  and  that  all  their  hope  of  salvation  was  in 
the  mere  mercy  of  God  in  Christ,  to  whom  they  were 
willing  to  be  eternal  debtors.  To  the  praise  of  sovereign 
grace,  I  may  add,  that  the  work  continued,  with  great 
regularity  and  little  abatement,  nearly  eighteen  months. 
In  this  time,  as  appears  from  the  records  of  the  church, 
one  hundred  and  ten  persons,  of  different  ages,  united 
themselves  unto  the  Lord  and  his  covenant  people.  All 
these  were  examined  in  the  presence  of  the  church,  and 
were  received,  on  the  ground  of  their  professing  to  have 
experienced  a  change  of  heart,  and  to  have  passed  from 
death  unto  life.  They  appeared  to  exhibit  the  fruits  of 
the  Spirit,  and  to  exemplify  the  religion  of  Jesus  in  their 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


363 


subsequent  lives.  The  instances  of  apostacy  have  been 
but  few.  Many  of  them  have  finished  their  course,  and 
entered  into  the  joy  of  their  Lord.  They  gave  evidence 
of  enduring  to  the  end,  and  of  departing  this  life  in  the 
triumphs  of  faith.  Others  remain  to  this  day,  '  burning 
and  shining  lights'  in  the  church,  some  in  this  town,  and 
sonae  in  the  new  settleirrents. 

"This  revival  of  religion  produced  a  surprising  change 
in  the  religious  sentiments  and  feelings  of  the  people,  and 
in  the  general  aspect  of  the  town.  It  effected  a  happy 
union  ;  a  union,  which  to  an  unusual  extent,  has  continued 
to  the  present  time.  After  the  shower  of  grace  had 
passed  over,  divine  influences  were  not  altogether  vvith- 
holden,  nor  did  the  people  lose  their  relish  for  religious 
meetings.  Insulated  conversions  to  the  cross  and  standard 
of  the  Redeemer,  strongly  marked  as  being  genuine, 
frequently  occurred.  In  the  six  following  years,  forty-two 
were  added  to  the  church,  including  some,  who  came  from 
other  churches. 

"In  the  year  1800,  we  were  again  favored  with  special 
tokens  of  God's  presence,  in  a  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 
This  display  of  sovereign  grace  was  witnessed,  soon  after 
I  commenced  a  weekly  religious  conference,  with  partic- 
ular reference  to  the  young  people ;  and  it  was  noticed, 
that  the  subjects  of  the  work  were  confined  almost  wholly 
to  those  who  attended  this  conference.  As  in  the  former 
revival,  I  explained  and  enforced  the  doctrines  of  the 
gospel,  showing  the  youth,  who  flocked  together  in  great 
numbers,  that  sinners  had  brought  ruin  upon  themselves, 
and  were  awfully  guilty  and  justly  condemned,  and  that 
all  their  hope  of  salvation  was  in  a  crucified  Saviour. 
Prayer  and  prai.se  accompanied  this  instruction.  No  at- 
tempts were  made  to  produce  an  excitement,  only  in  view 
of  the  plain  truths  of  the  gospel.  The  great  body  of  the 
people,  as  they  did  not  attend  on  these  means,  were  not 


364 


MEMOIR  OF 


affected,  and  solemnized,  as  they  were  in  the  first  revival; 
but  the  convictions  of  the  awakened  were  clear,  rational, 
and  pungent,  and  those  who  received  comfort,  appeared 
understandingly  to  embrace  the  soul-humbling  doctrines 
of  the  cross,  and  to  be  renewed  in  the  temper  of  their 
minds.  This  revival  occasioned  an  accession  to  the 
church  of  twenty-one  persons,  the  most  of  whom  were 
between  the  ages  of  sixteen  and  twenty-four. 

"  A  few  years  now  passed,  in  which  we  had  no  revival ; 
but  many  of  our  religious  meetings  were  continued,  and 
well  attended,  nor  were  we  without  evidence  of  the  be- 
stowment  of  God's  special  mercy,  in  rescuing  sinners  from 
deserved  wrath.  In  this  time  twenty-nine  persons,  in- 
cluding a  few  who  brought  letters,  were  added  to  the 
church. 

"In  September,  1806,  the  Lord  graciously  visited  us 
again.  This  season  of  the  outpourings  of  his  Spirit  fol- 
lowed the  death  of  a  youth,  a  respectable  and  promising 
young  man,  who  had  been  for  several  years  a  constant 
attendant  on  the  conferences  of  young  people,  and  had 
acquired  an  uncommonly  good  understanding  of  the 
doctrines  of  Christianity.  His  -death,  which  took  place 
when  at  a  distance  from  home,  was  unexpected ;  and  his 
appearance,  in  the  last  days  of  his  life,  was  peculiarly 
calculated  to  arouse  the  attention  of  his  youthful  com- 
panions. It  pleased  a  sovereign  God  to  accompany  this 
providence  by  the  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  The 
effect  was  immediately  visible  and  remarkable.  On  the 
Sabbath  succeeding  the  arrival  of  the  afflictive  intelligence, 
I  preached  to  a  crowded  assembly  from  Heb.  xi.  4.  '  He 
being  dead,  yet  speaketli.'  It  was  indeed  a  memorable 
Sabbath  to  many  of  this  people.  That  divine  influences 
were  shed  down  upon  us,  that  day,  none  could  doubt. 
The  solemn  stillness  and  the  flowing  tears  from  many 
eyes  evinced  the  presence  of  the  Holy  Spirit.    More  than 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


365 


twenty  persons,  H'ho  soon  after  exhibited  evidence  of  hav- 
ing bowed  in  humble  submission  at  the  feet  of  Jesus, 
dated  the  commencement  of  their  serious  impressions,  at 
that  time.  This  work,  in  its  progress,  resembled  a  plen- 
tiful shower  from  a  small  cloud.  It  was  powerful  and 
refreshing  indeed  in  one  part  of  the  town,  affecting  more 
or  less  in  almost  every  family,  before  any  deep  impressions 
were  noticed  in  other  parts  of  the  town.  Eventually  the 
work  spread  in  some  measure  ;  but  the  most  of  the  shower 
was  apparently  received,  where  divine  influences  first 
began  to  fall.  The  season  was  precious,  and  was  con- 
tinued to  us  about  a  year.  Our  meetings  were  the  same 
as  before,  and  they  were  characterized  with  the  same 
stillness  and  solemnity.  Many  new  family  altars  were 
erected,  and  many  were  embraced  as  the  disciples  of 
Jesus,  who  had  practically  set  him  at  nought.  During  this 
revival,  and  soon  after  it,  seventy-one  persons  were  re- 
ceived to  the  communion  of  the  church. 

"  The  six  following  years  were  years  of  coldness  and 
spiritual  dearth  in  the  church,  and  of  uncommon  stupidity 
among  the  people.  During  this  time  twenty-two  only 
were  gathered  into  the  church.  We  seemed  to  be  ripen- 
ing fast  for  the  judgments  of  God. 

"  It  is  proper,  in  this  place,  to  mention  what  might  have 
been  introduced  before,  that  the  church,  males  and 
females,  were  frequently  called  together  for  the  express 
purpose  of  uniting  in  prayer,  whether  we  were  favored 
with  special  divine  influences  or  not.  Many  such  meet- 
ings have  been  attended,  in  the  course  of  every  year  of 
my  ministry.  On  these  occasions,  the  church  have  been 
by  themselves,  confessing  their  sins,  and  imploring  God 
to  build  up  Zion.  I  have  always  been  present,  and  the 
brethren,  as  they  have  been  called  upon  by  the  pastor, 
have  readily  taken  an  active  part,  and  led  in  these  solemn 
devotions.  These  meetings  have  been  very  precious,  and 
31  * 


366 


MEMOIR  OF 


when  closed,  I  liave  often  heard  the  members  say,  '  It  is 
good  to  be  here.'  They  have  been  the  means  of  keeping 
religion  alive  in  the  church,  and  of  promoting  brotherly 
love  and  union.  We  have  also  been  in  the  practice  of 
observing  whole  days  of  fasting  and  prayer  in  the  church, 
giving  opportunity  to  any  of  the  people,  wlio  were  disposed, 
to  attend  with  us.  Great  numbers  have  usually  attended 
on  these  occasions,  beside  the  members  of  the  church,  and 
God  has  appeared  to  bless  these  efforts.  Many  liave  ac- 
knowledged, that  they  felt  their  first  convictions  of  sin  at 
these  meetings. 

"In  1813,  soon  after  a  distressing  and  mortal  sickness, 
which,  in  a  short  time,  swept  off  many  of  the  inhabitants, 
God  returned  to  us  again  in  mercy.  His  special  presence, 
in  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  was  manifestly  with  us  until 
some  time  in  the  year  following.  We  enjoyed  another 
little  harvest  of  souls.  The  same  weekly  meetings,  in 
which  prayer  was  a  principal  exercise,  were  continued, 
and  the  same  course  of  instruction  was  pursued.  As 
fruits  of  this  work  of  the  Lord,  twenty  persons  were  added 
to  the  church. 

"  During  the  next  seven  years,  though  we  were  not 
favored  with  such  tokens  of  mercy  as  might  be  denom- 
inated a  revival,  (for  stupidity  greatly  prevailed,)  yet  there 
were  many  insulated  cases  of  awakening  and  hopeful 
conversion.  Our  meetings,  on  the  Lord's  day,  continued 
to  be  full,  and  all  other  meetings  were  attended  with  in- 
terest. In  this  time  seventy-six  persons  were  received 
into  the  church,  fifty-two  from  the  world,  and  twenty-four 
by  letter. 

"  In  the  summer  of  1821,  there  was  an  evident  increase 
of  solemnity  in  the  church  and  congregation,  and  some 
individuals  were  known  to  be  anxious  for  their  souls. 
This  appearance  continued  for  several  weeks,  under  the 
same  means  of  grace,  which  the  people  had  long  enjoyed. 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


367 


but  none  were  found  who  rejoiced  in  hope.  Tlie  church 
often  assembled  together  for  prayer,  and  in  the  month  of 
August,  we  observed  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer.  The 
meeting-house  was  well  filled,  and  deep  solemnity  per- 
vaded the  congregation.  The  hearts  of  many  seemed  to 
'  burn  within  them,'  and  there  were  increasing  indications 
from  the  rising  cloud  '  of  abundance  of  rain.'  We  began 
to  hear  from  one  and  another  a  new  language — the  lan- 
guage of  submission  to  God. 

"  At  this  interesting  crisis,  the  Rev.  Asahel  Nettleton 
spent  a  few  days  with  us.  He  preached  five  sermons  to 
overflowing  assemblies,  and  his  labors  were  remarkably 
blessed.  The  Spirit  of  God  came  down  upon  us,  '  like  a 
rushing  mighty  wind.'  Conversions  were  frequent,  some- 
times several  in  a  day,  and  the  change  in  the  feelings  and 
views  of  the  subjects  was  wonderful.  At  the  suggestion 
of  Mr.  Nettleton,  I  now  instituted  what  are  called  inquir- 
ing meetings.  More  than  a  hundred  persons  attended  the 
first.  These  meetings,  as  I  found  them  to  be  convenient, 
were  continued  through  this  revival ;  and  I  have  ever 
since  made  use  of  them,  as  occasion  required,  sometimes 
weekly,  for  many  months  in  succession.  The  church 
have  always  been  requested  to  assemble  for  prayer,  in  the 
upper  room  of  a  large  school-house,  in  which  the  inquiring 
meetings  have  been  attended.  While  the  church  have 
been  engaged  in  prayer,  a  sufficient  number  of  the  brethren 
have  been  with  the  pastor  to  converse,  in  a  low  voice, 
with  every  individual  in  the  inquiring  room,  giving  oppor- 
tunity for  each  one  to  make  known  the  state  of  his  feel- 
ings. This  has  been  followed  by  instructions  addressed 
to  them  all,  and  adapted  to  their  cases,  and  by  prayer. 
The  ruined  and  helpless  state  of  sinners,  the  exceeding 
wickedness  of  their  hearts,  and  the  awful  consequences  of 
neglecting  the  great  salvation,  have  been  explicitly  slated 
on  these  occasions,  and  pressed  on  the  minds  of  the  in- 


368 


MEMOIR  OF 


quirers.  They  liave  not  been  directed  to  take  any  steps 
preparatory  to  their  accepting  of  Christ,  but  being  ac- 
quainted with  the  nature  and  terms  of  the  gospel,  repent- 
ance toward  God,  and  faith  in  Him  '  who  came  to  seek 
and  to  save  that  which  was  lost,'  have  been  enjoined  upon 
them,  as  their  immediate  duty  and  only  safe  course.  No 
language  can  describe  the  deep  feeling,  which  has  been 
manifested  at  some  of  these  meetings. 

"  The  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  1S21,  was  continued 
to  us  until  the  close  of  the  year.  Many  young  heads  of 
families,  and  others  in  the  midst  of  life,  were  among  the 
happy  subjects.  The  church  received  an  accession  of 
eighty-six  persons  as  fruits  of  this  revival. 

"  Between  this  revival,  and  that  which  took  place  in 
1827,  the  church  received  only  twenty-four,  and  nearly 
half  of  these  were  recommended  to  us  from  sister  churches. 
The  seasons  of  prayer  in  the  church  were  frequent,  and 
occasionally  whole  days  of  fasting  and  prayer,  which  all 
the  people  were  invited  to  attend,  were  observed.  The 
church  also,  by  a  large  committee,  selected  from  their 
body,  visited  every  family  in  the  town,  and  conversed  with 
parents  and  children  and  domestics  on  the  concerns  of 
their  souls,  and  their  prospects  for  eternity,  closing  their 
interviews  with  prayer.  This  has  been  repeatedly  done, 
within  the  last  ten  years,  and  sometimes  the  whole  has 
been  accomplished  in  one  day.  The  people  have  been 
publicly  notified,  on  the  Sabbath,  of  the  particular  day  on 
which  these  visits  were  to  be  made,  and  the  brethren  ap- 
pointed for  this  labor  of  love  have  had.  their  respective 
districts  assigned  them.  These  have  been  solemn  days, 
pre-eminently  days  of  prayer  in  every  part  of  the  town, 
and  profitable  both  to  the  brethren  who  made  the  visits, 
and  to  the  people  who  received  them. 

"  On  the  Sabbath  preceding  the  first  day  of  the  year 
1827,  I  invited  the  people,  as  had  been  our  practice,  to  as- 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


369 


semble,  at  the  rising  of  the  sun,  in  the  sanctuary,  for  the 
purpose  of  prayer  and  praise  to  that  God,  who  had  been 
our  preserver,  and  on  whom  we  were  dependent  for  all  our 
blessings.  Several  hundreds  convened,  at  that  early  hour, 
and  some  came  from  a  distance  of  two  and  three  miles. 
An  uncommon  interest  was  evidently  felt  in  the  meeting. 
Another  display  of  the  all-conquering  grace  of  God  com- 
menced, which  was  extensive  and  very  powerful.  This 
work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  continued  through  the  winter  and 
spring.  Many  stubborn  hearts  were  bowed,  and  not  a 
few  of  the  subjects  were  from  that  class  of  people,  who 
appeared  to  be  far  from  righteousness.  In  the  course  of 
a  few  months,  it  was  found  that  thirty  new  domestic  altars 
were  erected,  and  many  of  them  near  the  house  of  God, 
and  erected  by  a  number  of  our  active,  businessmen.  As 
the  fruits  of  this  revival,  one  hundred  and  twenty-five 
were  added  to  the  church. 

"  During  the  next  four  years,  we  received  fourteen  into 
the  church,  the  most  of  whom  were. from  the  world. 

"  In  the  year  1831,  which  was  a  year  memorable  for 
the  effusions  of  the  Spirit,  in  almost  every  part  of  our 
land,  this  people  were  not  passed  by.  In  the  forepart  of 
this  year,  it  pleased  God  again  to  arrest  the  attention  of 
many.  For  a  number  of  months,  the  excitement  was  very 
great,  and  our  meetings  were  frequent,  crowded,  and 
solemn.  Some  instances  of  conversion  early  occurred, 
which  were  more  striking  than  any  we  had  ever  witnessed. 
The  almighty  and  sovereign  power  of  God  was  remarka- 
bly displayed,  evincing.the  truth  of  his  own  declaration, 
'  I  will  have  mercy  on  whom  I  will  have  mercy.'  This 
revival  was  followed  by  an  accession  to  the  church  of 
forty-four  persons. 

"  The  whole  number  received  into  the  church,  during 
my  ministry,  is  six  hundred  and  seventy-four.  None  of 
these  have  presented  themselves  for  examination,  under 


370 


MEMOIR  OF 


two  and  three  months  after  they  began  to  cherish  a  hope 
of  having  passed  from  death  unto  life,  and  many  have 
chosen  to  wait  longer.  Whenever  we  have  been  favored 
with  a  season  of  the  outpourings  of  the  Spirit,  meetings 
have  been  appointed  with  particular  reference  to  the 
young  converts,  at  which  tiiey  have  been  freely  conversed 
with,  respecting  the  ground  and  reason  of  their  hope,  and 
they  have  had  opportunity  to  test  their  characters,  by  hav- 
ing the  great  truths  of  the  gospel  presented  clearly  to  their 
view.  They  have  been  warned  of  the  danger  of  being 
deceived.  The  confession  of  faith  has  also  been  read  and 
explained  to  them,  and  their  full  assent  to  it  has  been 
obtained,  before  they  offered  themselves  to  the  church. 

"  In  all  the  revivals,  of  which  I  have  given  a  brief 
account,  it  has  been  evident,  that  God  and  not  man  has 
selected  the  subjects  of  renewing  grace  ;  yet  a  large  pro- 
portion have  been  taken  from  religious  families.  In  some 
instances,  heads  of  families,  with  their  children  and  chil- 
dren's children,  sit  together  at  the  table  of  the  Lord. 

"  I  would  here  remark,  that  several  prayer  meetings 
have  been  sustained  in  this  town  wholly  by  the  female 
members  of  the  church,  and  I  have  had  no  doubts  of  their 
utility.  They  have  been  the  means  of  quickening  those 
who  have  attended  them.  What  rich  blessings  these 
prayers  may  have  drawn  down  upon  us,  will  be  known  in 
the  great  day  which  is  approaching.  But  while  I  have 
rejoiced,  in  knowing  such  meetings  were  holden,  I  have 
never  countenanced  the  praying  of  women,  in  promiscu- 
ous assemblies,  whether  great  or  small,  from  a  full  con- 
viction, that  the  practice  is  contrary  to  the  spirit  of  God's 
word.  Neither  have  I  seen  it  to  be  proper,  even  in  sea- 
sons of  the  greatest  excitement,  to  call  upon  impenitent 
sinners,  either  in  our  public  meetings,  or  in  the  inquiring 
room,  to  manifest  their  determination  to  seek  religion,  qr 
to  give  anij  pledge  that  they  would  do  it.    This  would  be 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


371 


inconsistent  with  the  views  I  entertain  of  the  depravity  of 
■  the  heart.  It  would  be  a  departure  from  the  practice  of 
Christ  and  his  apostles.  In  their  preaching,  they  incul- 
cated repentance  and  submission  to  God,  as  the  immediate 
duty  of  sinners. 

"  Though  all,  who  have  been  received  into  this  church, 
have  not  appeared  equally  well,  as  being  devoted  and 
established  Christians,  yet,  generally  speaking,  they  have 
exhibited  evidence,  in  their  walk,  of  a  moral  change,  and 
of  being  on  the  Lord's  side.  We  liave  had  frequent  calls 
for  the  exercise  of  Christian  discipline.  Some  of  the 
members  have  been  led  publicly  to  confess  their  faults, 
from  a  consciousness  of  their  having  brought  reproach  on 
the  precious  cause  of  Christ,  and  some,  refusing  to  be 
reclaimed,  have  been  cut  off  from  our  communion.  The 
number  of  the  latter  is  small. 

"  In  conclusion,  I  will  say,  and  I  feel  a  pleasure  in  say- 
ing it,  that  the  church  have  manifested  a  commendable 
zeal  and  liberality  in  supporting  the  various  charitable 
institutions  of  the  day,  and  in  promoting  the  cause  of  tem- 
perance, which,  for  a  few  years  past,  has  been  regarded 
as  a  subject  of  the  deepest  interest  to  the  cause  of  the 
Redeemer,  and  to  our  country. 

"  My  only  apology  for  the  length  of  this  letter  is,  that  I 
have  taken  a  survey  of  the  labors  and  events  of  forty 
years. 

"  From,  Rev.  sir,  your  brother  in  Christ, 

"  Alvan  Hyde. 

"Rev.  William  B.  Sprague,  D.  D." 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


BRIEF    NOTICE    OF   HIS    PUBLISHED  WRITINGS. 


A  FEW  words  ought  to  be  said  of  the  literary  character 
of  him  whose  diary  and  letters  compose  this  volume.  He 
early  in  life  aimed  at  entire  accuracy  in  all  his  written 
performances.  In  the  preparation  of  his  writings  for  the 
press,  not  an  error  has  been  discovered  in  the  spelling,  or 
pointing,  of  any  of  his  manuscripts.  Even  those  letters 
which  were  written  in  the  greatest  haste,  were  legible  as 
the  fairest  print,  and  accurately  pointed.  His  sermons 
are  generally  fully  written,  and  with  the  same  evidence  of 
painstaking.  There  are  higher  merits  than  these.  They 
are  pure  Saxon  English.  His  choice  and  arrangement 
of  words  to  express  clearly  and  distinctly  his  ideas,  was 
unusually  felicitous.  An  intelligent  layman,  who  often 
heard  him  preach,  once  remarked,  that  a  word  left  out 
of  his  sermon  would  be  as  much  missed  and  as  readily 
detected,  as  the  absence  of  a  brick  from  its  place  in 
the  building.  He  wrote  much.  His  published  works  are 
numerous,  and  afford  proof  of  great  industry  and  perse- 
verance in  his  researches.  It  seems,  from  looking  over 
the  dates  of  his  literary  labors,  that  he  must  have  had 
continually  before  his  mind  some  article  which  he  was 
preparing  for  the  public.     Though  there  is  not  great 


MEMOIR  OF  ALVAN  HYDE. 


373 


variety  in  his  style,  and  no  indication  that  he  ever  aimed 
at  tiie  highest  kind  of  literary  composition,  there  is  still 
proof  of  much  versatility,  and  what  is  far  more  delight- 
ful to  contemplate,  a  constant  effort  to  do  good.  Very 
soon  after  his  settlement  in  the  ministry,  notwithstanding 
his  pressing  duties  as  a  pastor,  he  prepared  a  variety  of 
essays  for  the  Theological  Magazine,  published  at  New 
York.  When  that  work  was  discontinued,  he  commenced 
with  the  first  volume  of  the  Connecticut  Evangelical 
Magazine,  and  was  a  contributor  during  its  continuance. 
When  the  Panoplist  became  the  important  vehicle  of 
religious  communications  to  the  public,  he  contributed 
to  its  pages  many  valuable  articles.  The  Christian  Spec- 
tator, during  the  first  eight  years  of  its  publication,  was 
occasionally  enriched  by  the  productions  of  his  pen.  He 
wrote  also  for  the  Boston  Recorder  and  other  weekly 
papers,  and  some  of  his  writings  appeared  in  the  Utica 
Magazine.  These  literary  labors  for  the  various  periodical 
works  in  our  country,  whose  influence  on  the  public  mind 
and  the  kingdom  of  Christ  he  watched  with  prayerful 
solicitude,  must  have  been  a  great  tax  upon  his  time  and 
strength,  though  they  doubtless  conduced  greatly  to  the 
formation  of  his  habits  of  industry  and  accuracy.  It 
may  not  be  unacceptable  to  the  reader,  to  have  a  speci- 
men of  his  writing,  which  had  the  benefit  of  his  own 
revision  —  as  the  letters  and  diary  in  this  volume  were 
written  without  the  most  distant  thought  of  their  ever 
being  collected  for  this  object.  The  Essay  was  published 
in  1799. 

THOUGHTS   ON  THE   NATURE   OF  SUBMISSION. 

'  Nol  my  will,  liut  thine  be  done.* 

"Of  this  duty,  as  of  all  others,  we  are  liable  to  have 
wrong  conceptions.    We  may  attach  to  it  things  which  it 
32 


374 


MEMOIR  OF 


does  not  imply,  and  we  may  exclude  from  it  things  which 
are  not  only  important,  but  essential  to  its  very  nature. 

"  1.  Submission  does  not  imply  that  the  mind  ceases  to 
have  exercises  and  choice.  This  point  is  clear  from  what 
our  Saviour  has  expressed  in  the  short  sentence  above 
quoted,  which  was  the  language  and  feeling  of  one  who, 
in  every  situation,  was  without  sin.  The  human  mind  of 
Christ  had  desires  and  volitions  when  in  the  exercise  of 
submission.  He  spake  of  a  desire  of  his  own  in  dis- 
tinction from  the  will  of  God.  '  Not  my  will,  but  thine 
be  done.'  This  desire  existed  when  he  prayed,  and  it  was 
this  which  led  him  to  offer  a  petition  to  God.  Had  it  not 
been  for  this,  his  mind  would  not  have  been  in  a  state  of 
trial,  nor  would  there  have  been  any  ground  or  call  for  the 
exercise  of  submission.  Were  we  to  suppose  the  mind 
ever  ceases  to  have  exercises  and  choice,  we  should  take 
from  it  that  which  we  understand  by  moral  agency. 
What  do  we  mean  when  we  say  men  are  moral  agents  ? 
We  surely  mean  as  much  as  this,  that  they  have  a  per- 
ception of  objects,  and  that  they  choose  or  refuse  them  for 
themselves.  '  Were  there,  in  any  case,  to  be  a  suspension 
of  all  choice  with  respect  to  any  object  or  event,  there 
would  be  a  suspension  of  moral  agency.  If  submission 
shut  out  4ll  exercises  and  desires  from  the  mind,  so  that 
the  mind  might  be  properly  said  to  have  no  will  or  choice 
of  its  own,  there  would  be  no  accountability — no  founda- 
tion for  praise  or  blame.  The  mind  is  no  further  ac- 
countable than  it  chooses  for  itself  It  ceases  to  be  praise 
or  blameworthy  when  it  ceases  to  have  any  choice  of 
objects.  We  speak  much  of  exercises  of  mind,  and  what 
we  mean  by  them  is  a  pleased  ness  or  displeasedness  with 
the  objects  in  the  view  of  the  mind.  We  have  a  view  of 
no  object,  truth  or  event  whatever,  towards  which  our 
minds  are  indifferent.  Some  kind  of  affection  always 
accompanies  every  thing  seen  by  the  mind.  Therefore 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


375 


we  are  conversant  with  no  object  or  event  which  does  not 
do  something  towards  forming  our  characters  ;  because 
every  one  is  an  occasion  of  bringing  into  existence  some 
kind  of  affection.  Let  us  be  where  we  will,  and  see 
and  hear  what  we  will,  our  characters  are  continually 
forming. 

"  If  that  submission  which  creatures  owe  to  God  imply 
a  suspension  of  all  volitions  or  choice  in  the  mind,  it 
excludes  moral  agency,  and,  therefore,  has  no  virtue 
in  it. 

"  2.  Submission  does  not  imply  that  the  mind  feels 
indifferent  with  respect  to  pain  and  misery. 

"Our  Saviour,  by  whom  submission  was  exercised  in 
perfection,  did  not  feel  indifferent  with  respect  to  the 
awful  scene  of  suffering  before  him.  If  this  had  been  the 
case,  he  would  not  have  prayed  as  he  did  :  '  Father,  if 
thou  be  willing,  remove  this  cup, from  me.'  All  natural 
evil,  in  itself  considered,  is  undesirable.  For  a  person 
to  choose  pain  and  misery  for  their  own  sakes,  would  be 
perfectly  inconsistent  with  all  ideas  of  rationality.  It 
would  be  equally  irrational  for  a  person  to  feel  indifferent 
towards  pain  and  misery.  By  indifference  I  mean  his  not 
having  any  kind  of  choice,  whether  he' is  kept  from  pain 
or  not.  There  can  be  no  such  thing  as  this;  for  every 
thing,  presented  to  the  view  of  the  mind,  is  either  pleasing 
or  displeasing.  It  is  either  desired,  or  it  is  not  desired. 
As  all  evil,  in  itself  considered,  is  undesirable,  the  mind, 
acting  rationally,  will  choose  to  avoid  it,  if  it  may  be 
consistent  with  other  things  yet  to  be  mentioned.  If  the 
minds  of  men  were  brought  into  a  state  of  indifference, 
with  respect  to  pain,  all  the  submission  they  would  have 
would  be  without  any  virtue.  There  would  be  nothing 
praiseworthy  in  it.  Divest  men  of  all  choice  of  their 
own,  and  they  would  at  once  become  as  passive  in  bearing 
what  is  laid  upon  them,  and  as  destitute  of  all  virtue  as 


376 


MEMOIR  OF 


the  grass  which  falls  before  the  mower.  The  very  ground 
of  submission  would  be  destroyed.  He  who  exercises 
submission  in  sickness,  does  not  feel  indifferent  with 
respect  to  the  pain  he  endures ;  but  views  it  as  something 
in  itself  undesirable.  He  looks  upon  it  as  undesirable 
in  proportion  to  its  severity.  He  who  exercises  submission 
in  viewing  a  child,  a  parent,  a  companion,  or  some  near 
friend,  in  the  agonies  of  death,  does  not  feel  indifferent 
with  respect  to  the  scene  before  him.  He  has  his  feel- 
ings, his  desires,  his  choice,  otherwise  there  would  be  no 
ground  for  submission — he  would  be  neither  praise  nor 
blameworthy.  He  who  gives  up  himself  to  God  to  be 
disposed  of  by  him  forever  and  ever,  does  not  do  it  be- 
cause he  feels  indifferent  with  respect  to  the  everlasting 
torments  of  the  damned,  and  because  he  has  no  choice 
whether  he  shall  be  made  eternally  wretched  or  not.  The 
endless  pains  of  hell  are.  in  themselves  undesirable,  and  to 
all  rational  minds  will  appear  so.  To  choose  to  be  cast 
off  forever,  or  to  feel  indifferent  about  it,  would  be  incon- 
sistent with  all  ideas  of  rationality.  If  indifference  with 
respect  to  all  evil  were  implied  in  submission  to  God, 
there  would  be  no  propriety  in  praying  God  to'  deliver  us 
from  evil.  But  do  not  the  scriptures  afford  us  examples 
of  this  among  the  most  emment  children  of  God  ?  We 
certainly  may  find  many,  and  one  which  was  left  by  the 
Saviour  of  the  world,  who,  we  may  know,  was  Avithout  sin. 
In  view  of  the  awful  scene  of  suffering  before  him,  he 
prayed;  'Father,  if  thou  be  willing,  remove  this  cup  from 
me.'  We  have  not  only  his  example  but  his  precept. 
When  he  uttered  a  form  of  prayer  for  his  disciples,  he 
expressly  inserted  in  it  this  petition,  Deliver  us  from  evil. 
But  this  prayer  could  not  be  made  if  submission  to  God 
implied  indifference  with  respect  to  evil. 

"  3.  Submission  does  not  imply,  that  the  mind  feels 
indifferent  with  respect  to  happiness.    If  a  desire  of  happi- 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


377 


ness  were  inconsistent  with  submission,  it' would  be  wrong 
to  pray  for  it.  But  has  it  not  been  the  universal  practice 
of  the  pious,  in  every  age  of  the  world,  to  pray  for  the 
favor  and  the  blessing  of  God?  Do  not  the  scriptures 
fully  warrant  it  1  If,  in  the  exercise  of  submission,  the 
mind  feel  indifferent  towards  that  mercy  so  freely  offered 
in  the  gospel ;  that  is,  has  no  choice  whether  it  be  made 
a  subject  of  it  or  not,  there  can  be  no  ground  to  pray 
for  it.  Happiness  is,  in  itself,  desirable,  as  much  as  pain 
is  in  itself  undesirable.  Benevolence  views  it  as  desirable. 
I  would  be  understood  to  speak  of  holy  happiness,  that 
which  is  realy  that  which  arises  from  the  enjoyment  of 
God.  With  respect  to  this,  the  benevolent  mind  cannot 
feel  indifferent.  The  scriptures  speak  of  the  pious  as 
longing  and  panting  after  it.  All  this  is  consistent  with 
perfect  submission.  What  virtue  can  there  be  in  that 
submission  which  is  accompanied  with  an  utter  indif- 
ference to  happiness?  What  is  it  that  such  a  person 
gives  up  to  God  ?  What  sacrifice  of  his  own  choice  does 
he  make  ?  To  choose  that  our  souls  should  be  lost  forever, 
would  not  be  rational — to  feel  indifferent,  whether  they  are 
saved  or  not,  would  not  be  rational ;  and,  therefore,  the 
enjoyment  of  God  must  be  what  the  benevolent  mind 
chooses.  There  is  perfect  submission  to  God  in  heaven ; 
but,  at  the  same  time,  the  enjoyment  of  that  place  is  pre- 
ferred to  the  wretchedness  of  those  who  are  cast  off. 

"4.  Submission  is  the  very  essence  of  what  the  Saviour 
said  in  view  of  his  sufferings  on  the  cross.  '  Not  my  will, 
but  thine  be  done.'  He  had  a  will  or  choice  of  his  own, 
but  he  made  it  subordinate  to  the  will  of  God.  Submission 
always  implies  something  submitted — something  which  is 
given  up.  If  we  had  nothing  to  give  up,  we  should  have 
no  sacrifice  to  make.  In  this  case  there  would  be  no 
trial,  no  display  of  virtue,  no  undervaluing  and  denying 
of  self.  The  virtue  of  submission  appears  to  consist  in  the 
32* 


378 


MEMOIR  OF 


voluntary  giving  up  of  those  objects  which  are  dear  to  our 
hearts.  The  greater  and  more  dear  the  objects  are,  in 
themselves  considered,  the  greater  is  the  submission.  If 
we  had  no  desires,  no  choice  of  our  own,  our  minds  would 
not  be  brouglit  to  trial,  nor  should  we  have  any  thing  to 
submit.  AVe  should  be  as  ignorant  of  the  nature  of  sub- 
mission, as  one  \yould  be  of  parental  affection  who  never 
had  any  children.  Such  a  person  cannot  know  the  par- 
ticular feelings  of  parents,  when  they  are  in  the  act  of 
giving  up  their  children  to  God  to  be  disposed  of  by  him 
forever  and  ever,  because  he  has  never  been  in  their 
place,  and  the  objects  have  never  existed  in  his  mind. 
The  attentive  reader  will  now  see  why  I  have  urged,  that 
in  submission  the  mind  does  not  cease  to  have  desires 
of  its  own,  and  does  not  feel  indifferent  with  respect  to 
misery  and  happiness.  Had  our  Saviour  felt  indifferent 
with  respect  to  the  sufferings  before  him,  his  mind  would 
have  had  nothing  to  have  given  up,  and  his  submission 
would  have  been  without  virtue.  But  when  we  consider 
him  as  viewing  the  cup  of  which  he  was  about  to  drink, 
to  be  in  itself  inexpressibly  dreadful,  then  we  may  see 
wherein  the  greatness  of  his  submission  consisted.  In 
view  of  this  dreadful  cup,  he  said,  'Not  my  will,  but  thine 
be  done.'  Knowing  it  to  be  the  purpose  of  God,  he  volun- 
tarily drank  it,  because  he  set  God's  will  above  his  own. 
Here  is  a  perfect  pattern  of  submission.  By  looking  to 
this  pattern,  we  find  submission  consists  in  choosing  that 
the  Lord  should  reign,  that  he  should  have  the  sole 
disposal  of  all  things  for  time  and  eternity.  It  is  subor- 
dinating our  wills  to  the  will  of  the  Lord. 

"  He  who  exercises  submission  in  sickness,  feels  that 
the  pain  he  endures  is  a  trial,  and  has  a  desire  to  be 
released  from  it ;  but  his  heart  says  to  God,  'Not  my  will, 
but  thine  be  done.'  He  gives  up  the  whole  affair  to  God, 
and  chooses  he  should  have  the  ordering.     This  giving 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


379 


up  of  his  own  desire,  is  his  submission — it  is  that  vvhich 
constitutes  his  prafseworthiness.  He  who  exercises  sub- 
mission, in  viewing  a  child,  a  parent,  a  companion,  or 
any  near  friend,  in  the  agonies  of  death,  feels  that  their 
life  would  be  desirable ;  but,  his  heart  says  to  God,  '  Not 
ray  will,  but  thine  be  done.'  His  giving  up  his  own 
choice  is  his  submission.  He  does  not  choose  the  death 
of  near  friends,  nor  feel  indifferent  about  it,  but  he  chooses 
the  will  of  the  Lord  should  be  done.  He  who  gives  up 
himself,  soul  and  body  to  God,  to  be  disposed  of  by  him 
forever  and  ever,  feels  that  it  would  be  desirable  to  avoid 
the  endless  torments  of  the  damned,  and  to  enter  into  the 
happiness  of  heaven — but,  his  heart  says  to  God,  '  Not  my 
will,  but  thine  be  done.' 

"All  persons  have  an  ultimate,  governing  desire,  and 
when  this  is  known,  their  characters  may  be  determined. 
They  who  are  under  the  influence  of  selfishness,  as  is  the 
case  with  all  the  wicked,  choose  that  their  own  desires 
should  be  granted.  Let  them  be  brought  to  the  trial,  and 
they  will  make  a  sacrifice  of  every  thing  to  gratify  self 
Self  weighs  more  in  their  minds  than  the  happiness  of 
all  their  fellow-creatures.  Were  the  thing  possible,  the 
selfish  heart  would  pull  God  from  the  throne,  before  it 
would  give  up  its  own  happiness.  This  is  because  the 
ultimate  desire  of  the  heart  is  self-gratification.  A  person 
always  subordinates  every  thing  to  his  ultimate  desire. 
Here  we  are  presented  with  the  real  character  and  feel- 
ings of  the  wicked.  With  this  awful  character  let  us 
now  contrast  that  of  the  righteous. 

"  The  righteous  have  their  ultimate,  governing  desire,  as 
well  as  the  wicked.  And  what  is  it  1  It  is  this — That 
the  will  of  the  Lord  should  be  done.  To  this  ultimate 
desire  they  subordinate  every  thing  else.  They  who  are 
under  the  influence  of  this  principle,  choose  that  God 
should  reign,  that  he  should  have  the  sole  disposal  of  their 


390 


ME.MOIR  OF 


very  dearest  objects.  Let  the  righteous  be  brought  to  the 
trial,  and  they  would  make  a  sacrifice  of  every  thing  for 
the  sake  of  the  glory  of  God.  In  the  exercise  of  benevo- 
lence, not  a  single  thing  which  can  be  mentioned  would 
be  kept  back.  If,  under  any  circumstances,  and  in  any 
condition,  their  hearts  should  not  say,  the  will  of  the 
Lord  be  done,  their  submission  would  be  spoiled.  The 
strongest  desires  of  their  hearts  must  be  subordinated  to 
the  will  of  God.  Let  parents,  or  children,  or  companions, 
or  brothers  and  sisters,  or  houses  and  lands,  or  their  own 
lives,  come  into  view,  they  are  cheerfully  left  with  the 
disposal  of  God,  and  made  inferior  to  his  glory.  Let 
these  objects  of  their  affections  be  in  what  state  they  may, 
their  hearts  saj,  the  will  of  the  Lord  be  done.  Let  the 
everlasting  torments  of  the  damned  come  into  view,  and, 
at  the  same  time,  their  own  exposedness  to  them  be  seen, 
still  the  language  of  submission  will  be,  the  will  of  the 
Lord  be  done.  Let  the  happiness  of  the  redeemed  in 
glory  come  into  view,  and  though  there  may  be  a  strong 
desire  for  it,  yet  all  is  submitted  to  the  will  of  God.  The 
benevolent  heart  says,  he  knows  what  is  best,  and  let  hira 
reign.  If  it  be  safe  to  submit  any  thing  to  God,  it  is  safe 
to  submit  every  tiling. 

"  All  this  will  not  imply  that  our  minds  are  indifferent 
with  respect  to  pain  and  misery,  nor  with  respect  to  hap- 
piness and  a  state  of  favor.  It  implies  simply  what  was 
said  by  our  Saviour, '  Not  my  will,  but  thine  be  done.'  On 
another  occasion,  our  Saviour  spake  the  same  language  : 
'  He  that  loveth  fatiier  or  mother  more  than  me,  is  not 
worthy  of  me  :  and  he  that  loveth  son  or  daughter  more 
than  me,  is  not  worthy  of  me.  And  he  that  taketh  not 
his  cross  and  followeth  after  me,  is  not  worthy  of  me. 
Whosoever  he  be  of  you  that  forsaketh  not  all  that  he 
hath,  he  cannot  be  my  disciple.'  So  that  the  ultimate 
governing  desire  of  Christians  is,  that  the  will  of  the 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


381 


Lord  be  done.  To  this  every  other  desire  of  their  hearts 
is  subordinated.  This  leads  them  to  leave  all  their  con- 
cerns with  God,  both  for  time  and  eternity. 

"These  thoughts,  on  this  important  subject,  suggest 
some  reflections. 

"  1.  We  see  with  what  temper  of  heart  we  ought  to 
pray.  We  are  allowed  to  have  desires,  and  to  express 
them  to  God  in  prayer,  but  they  all  must  be  subordinated 
to  his  will.  If  we  have  any  desires  which  we  are  unwil- 
ling to  submit — unwilling  to  give  up,  we  pray  with  rebel- 
lion in  our  hearts,  we  disgrace  the  God  to  whom  we 
speak.  We  are  allowed  to  pray  for  our  children  when 
they  are  sick  ;  v'e  may  pray  for  their  lives,  and  for  the 
salvation  of  their  souls,  but  it  must  be  done  with  submis- 
sion. If  we  are  not  willing  God  should  do  his  pleasure 
with  respect  to  their  living  or  dying,  and  with  respect  to 
their  future  destiny,  we  have  not  a  spirit  of  prayer.  We 
set  up  our  own  wills  above  the  will  of  the  Lord.  We  are 
allowed  also  to  ask  mercy  for  ourselves,  that  God  would 
save  our  souls  from  death,  and  it  is  an  infinite  favor  that 
we  may  do  it ;  but  it  must  be  done  with  submission  to 
God's  will.  If  we  could  not  say,  even  in  this  case,  'not 
my  will,  but  thine  be  done,'  we  should  have  rebellion  in 
our  hearts.  Submission  enters  info  the  very  nature  and 
spirit  of  prayer :  not  a  single  petition  ought  to  be  put  up 
without  it.  For  the  same  reason  that  we  ought  to  submit 
one  thing,  we  ought  to  sul)mit  every  thing.  With  an 
ultimate  desire,  tliat  the  will  of  the  Lord  should  be  done, 
we  ought  to  enter  our  closets,  approach  the  throne  of 
grace  in  our  families,  and  in  the  assemblies  of  the  saints. 

2,  We  see  what  is  meant  by  accepting  the  punish- 
ment of  our  iniquity.  The  scriptures  very  plainly  state 
this  to  sinners,  as  a  condition  of  their  being  pardoned. 
It  was  expressly  stated  to  the  Jews,  as  in  Lev.  xxvi.  41. 
Accepting  the  punishment  of  our  iniquity  does  not  imply 


382 


MEMOIR  OF 


that  we  feel  indifferent,  whether  we  are  punished  or  not. 
He  who  has  been  humbled,  by  the  mighty  power  of  God, 
feels  that  lie  is  condemned,  and  justly  condemned  ;  that  the 
law  which  passes  the  sentence  is  infinitely  holy  and  good. 
His  heart  receives  it  as  such,  though  it  condemns  him,  and 
he  would  choose  it  should  be  honored  and  maintained,  even 
if  he  were  cast  off  forever.  He  feels  that  God's  throne 
would  be' guiltless,  and  that  he  should  not  have  a  word  to 
say,  if  the  curse  of  the  law  should  fall  upon  his  guilty  head. 
He  acknowledges  that  he  lies  wholly  at  the  mere  mercy 
of  God,  and  he  is  willing  it  should  be  so.  His  heart, 
once  selfish,  now  benevolent,  is  prepared  to  say  Amen,  to 
any  sentence  which  God  shall  see  fit  to  pronounce.  His 
ultimate  desire  is  not  that  he  should  be  saved  from  the 
curse  of  the  law,  but  that  God's  counsel  should  stand,  and 
his  name  be  glorified.  Since  mercy  is  offered  to  such  a 
guilty  creature,  it  would  be  contempt  of  this  mercy  not  to 
ask  for  it.  But  how  does  he  ask  ?  Not  with  a  supreme 
and  ultimate  desire,  that  it  should  be  given  him,  but  with 
a  greater  desire  that  God  should  be  glorified.  Therefore, 
he  says,  in  this  petition,  '  Not  my  will,  but  thine  be  done.' 
He  acknowledges  he  deserves  eternal  destruction,  when 
he  asks  for  mercy,  and,  therefore,  accepts  the  punishment 
of  his  iniquity,  even  though  he  says  'God  be  merciful  to 
me  a  sinner.' 

"3.  We  see  in  what  the  consolation  of  Christians  con- 
sists. Their  wills  are  swallowed  up  in  the  divine  will.  Here 
they  leave  all  things,  and  here  is  their  highest  consolation. 
The  universal  government  of  God  is  the  very  anchor  of 
their  souls.  They  have  desires  with  respect  to  themselves, 
their  children,  the  church,  and  .world  ;  but  with  pleasure, 
they  submit  all  their  desires  to  God.  Such  persons,  we 
may  say,  are  prepared  for  any  event,  whether  prosperous 
or  adverse," 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


383 


In  addition  to  the  essays  in  the  various  literary  and 
theological  works,  Dr.  Hyde  published  during  his  ministry 
nineteen  sermons.  These  were  either  sermons  on  public 
occasions,  or  discussions  of  the  most  prominent  doctrines 
of  the  Bible,  which  his  friends  solicited  him  to  send  to  the 
press.  A  historical  discourse  which  he  published  on  the 
two  hundredth  anniversary  of  the  Landing  of  the  Pilgrims, 
contains  an  interesting  sketch  of  the  leading  events  in  the 
ecclesiastical  history  of  our  country.  The  conjugal  rela- 
tion made  happy  and  useful,  is  a  sermon  of  great  merit. 
His  sermon  on  the  Rechabites,  contains  an  able  plea  in 
favor  of  total  abstinence  from  the  use  of  ardent  spirits, 
which  it  would  seem  no  parent  would  fail  of  admitting  as 
satisfactory.  An  examination  of  his  sermons  will  satisfy 
any  reader,  that  he  was  a  scribe  well  instructed — that  he 
fed  his  people  with  knowledge. 


CHAPTER  XIV, 


DOMESTIC  CHARACTER  LETTER  OF  A  SON. 

The  compiler  of  this  book,  has  been  encouraged  to 
collect  the  materials  which  have  been  found,  presenting 
an  outline  of  the  labors  and  success  of  him  to  whom 
they  relate,  by  letters  from  several  correspondents.  One 
whose  opinion  the  public  will  highly  appreciate,  writes 
thus  : 

"  I  have  no  hesitation  in  expressing  the  opinion,  that 
a  biography  of  Dr.  Hyde  ought  to  be  published.  It  is 
due  to  his  memory,  and  due  to  the  Christian  public.  I 
have  no  doubt  that  he  was,  on  the  whole,  as  perfect  a 
model,  for  a  parish  minister,  as  this  country  has  produced  ; 
and  very  few  have  approached  him,  in  point  of  useful- 
ness." 

Another,  who  had  the  best  opportunities  for  acquaint- 
ance, expresses  his  sentiments  in  these  words  : 

"I  love  to  think  of  my  sainted  friend,  and  am  glad  to 
find  that  you  have  not  relinquished  the  thought  of  pre- 
paring a  memoir  of  his  life.  I  hope  the  full-length 
portrait  of  a  man  so  excellent  and  so  useful,  may  yet  be 


MEMOIR  OF  ALVAN  HYDE. 


385 


passed  round  to  the  admiring  gaze,  not  only  of  partial 
friends — among  wlioni  I  blush  not  to  class  myself — but 
throughout  the  Christian  community.  It  must  interest, 
and  delight,  and  profit  all  who  love  high  moral  worth — to 
ministers  it  cannot  fail  to  be  specially  useful. 

"But  the  difficulty,  as  in  all  similar  cases,  is  to  furnish 
a  good  likeness.  We  care  not  so  much,  whether  the 
painting  be  coarse  or  fine,  in  the  eye  of  a  connoisseur, 
but  we  want  the  features  accurately  delineated  and 
strongly  marked — we  must  have  a  likeness  of  the  man 
we  love,  or  it  is  a  failure." 

But  when  all  has  been  said  of  his  public,  and  ministe- 
rial and  literary  character,  there  will  be,  in  the  estimation 
of  every  one  acquainted  with  him,  an  inexcusable  defi- 
ciency— an  utter  want  of  veri-similitude,  unless  something 
more  is  said  of  him.  It  is  his  "  domestic  portraiture," 
which  presents  him  in  the  most  natural  attitude.  It  was 
in  his  own  family  wliere  the  excellencies  of  this  beloved 
man  appeared  most  conspicuous.  To  every  one  who  has 
been  under  his  roof,  and  seen  how  he  ruled  his  own 
house,  with  what  light  his  own  example  shone,  with 
what  holy  cheerfulness  he  greeted  Christian  friends,  and 
made  them  welcome  to  the  delights  of  his  domestic  circle, 
and  especially  with  what  elevated  and  pure  happiness  the 
father  and  mother  and  children,  met  at  the  family  altar, 
and  opened  the  treasures  of  God's  word,  there  will  be  no 
exaggeration  in  saying  his  worth  and  loveliness  were 
most  conspicuous  at  home.  There  was  nothing  like 
laying  aside  the  character  of  a  minister  or  Christian  in 
any  of  the  hours  spent  in  that  dearest  spot  on  earth. 
These  seemed  to  become  well  the  father  at  the  head  of 
his  family.  The  morning  and  evening  season  of  worship 
was  a  feasting.  It  was  sitting  together  in  heavenly  places 
33 


386 


MEMOIR  OF 


in  Christ  Jesus.  They  were  liours  to  which  the  members 
looked  forward  with  pleasure,  and  they  lingered  to  pro- 
long the  refreshment  when  the  voice  of  prayer  and  praise 
had  ceased.  In  his  family  there  was  an  illustration  that 
the  Sabbath  was  made  for  man — for  his  comfort,  his 
instruction — a  season  to  gather  clusters  from  the  land  of 
promise,  and  sustain  the  soul.  In  proof  of  this,  and  as 
presenting  a  more  perfect  and  nearer  view  of  him,  the 
reader  will  be  gratified  in  the  following  "  testimony  of  a 
son." 

"  He  arose  as  early  upon  the  Sabbath  as  upon  other 
days,  and  called  the  family  as  early,  as  if  unwilling  that 
more  of  its  sacred  hours  siiould  be  spent  in  slumber  than 
other  days  required.  After  the  works  of  necessity  were 
performed,  we  were  all  summoned  to  the  family  altar. 
Every  one,  including  domestics,  was  furnished  with  a 
Bible  ;  and  after  he  had  invoked  the  blessing  of  heaven 
upon  the  duties  then  before  us,  and  also  upon  the  duties 
of  the  day,  some  one  was  asked  to  repeat  the  fourth  com- 
mandment— another,  what  were  its  requirements — and 
another,  how  it  was  to  be  sanctified.  Each  one  would 
have  some  interrogatory  put  to  him,  touching  the  duties 
of  holy  time.  He  would  expand  the  idea  contained  in 
the  several  answers,  enforcing  upon  us  all  the  .strict  observ- 
ance of  its  holy  hours  unto  the  end — then  he  would  name 
the  book  and  chapter  we  were  to  read,  as  we  always  read 
the  Bible  in  course,  and  he  would  commence  by  reading 
two  verses  himself,  and  then  call  upon  the  next  in  suc- 
cession, and  so  on  till  the  reading  was  completed.  He 
would  frequently  comment  as  we  read,  explain  obscure 
passages,  and  compare  one  passage  with  another,  recon- 
ciling apparent  contradictions.  He  would  then  call  upon 
some  one  or  more  of  the  family  to  read  the  practical  ob- 
servations of  Dr.  Scott,  upon  the  chapter  which  had  been 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


387 


read,  to  which  he  always  seemed  to  listen  with  great  de- 
light. 

"  He  was  an  excellent  singer,  and  ardently  fond  of 
sacred  music,  and  as  his  children  were  all  singers,  we 
invariably  sung  at  morning  and  evening  prayers,  and  as 
he  often  remarked,  it  constituted  a  very  delightful,  part 
of  family  worship.  He  would  name  some  psalm  or  hymn, 
with  which  we  were  all  familiar,  and  we  could  generally 
carry  three  parts  of  a  tune.  We  all  knelt  in  prayer,  and 
with  the  greatest  simplicity  and  tender  and  affectionate 
earnestness,  he  would  ask  his  heavenly  Father  to  bless 
and  sanctify  each  member  of  the  family,  whether  present 
or  absent— to  accompany  eacli  one  of  us  to  the  house  of 
worship  and  to  bless  the  truth  there,  and  wiierever  it 
should  be  preached.  He  always  frowned  upon  any  thing 
like  levity  in  any  of  us  during  the  sacred  hours  of  the 
Sabbath.  After  breakfast,  and  during  the  interval  of 
worship  at  noon,  he  was  generally  by  himself  But 
before  retiring,  he  would  request  us  all  to  read  some 
religious  book,  sometimes  selecting  one  for  each  of  us. 
Often,  just  before  the  hour  of  public  worship  arrived, 
would  he  call  us  all  together  to  sing  before  we  went  to 
the  house  of  God,  the  following,  or  some  other  appro- 
priate words;  * 

'  Welcome  sweet  day  of  rest,  ^ 
That  saw  the  Lord  arise ; 
Welcome  to  this  reviving  breast, 
And  these  rejoicing  eyes.' 

After  service  in  the  afternoon,  he  would  collect  all  his 
household,  and  one  would  be  selected  to  read,  while  the 
others  were  required  to  listen,  with  a  view  to  prevent,  if 
possible,  those  wandering  thoughts  so  common  to  youth. 
This  e.\ercise  was  continued  till  the  hour  arrived  for 
evening  prayers.     Then  we  were  interrogated  in  the 


388 


MEMOIR  OF 


Shorter  Catechism,  the  questions  in  which  he  would  put 
to  us  from  memory,  without  the  aid  of  a  book,  and  correct 
the  least  error  in  an  answer.  We  were  also  interrogated 
upon  the  historical  parts  of  the  Bible  ;  called  upon  to 
name  the  books  of  the  Bible  in  their  order ;  to  repeat  a 
hymn,  and  to  answer  such  other  questions  as  he  saw  fit  to 
put  to  us,  concerning  the  great  duties  which  man  owes  to 
his  Maker ;  then  the  day  was  closed  with  reading  the 
Bible,  singing,  and  prayer,  as  in  the  morning.  And  such, 
I  may  say,  was  the  history  of  our  family  devotions  every 
day  in  the  week,  with  but  little  variation.  He  in  later 
years  adopted  the  '  verse  system,'  requiring  each  one  to 
repeat  a  verse  from  scripture  before  reading,  he  himself 
leading  the  way.  He  never  came  to  the  family  altar,  as 
if  to  perform  an  unmeaning  or  irksome  ceremony ;  but  it 
ever  seemed  to  him  a  delightful  spot,  a  spot  where  he 
loved  to  linger.  And  I  believe  we  were  all  happy  in  the 
hour  of  family  devotion.  They  are  delightful  spots  in  the 
retrospect ;  and  nothing,  nothing  makes  such  a  chasm  at 
home  ;  nothing  makes  the  paternal  mansion  appear  so 
gloomy,  as  not  to  hear  the  well  known  accents  of  our 
much  lamented  father  ascending  in  affectionate  supplica- 
tion at  tlie  hours  of  morning  and  evening  devotion,  and 
invoking  a  blessing  "upon  the  bounties  of  Providence  at 
the  social  repast.  And  he  v.  as  not  content  in  supplicating 
the  best  of  Heaven's  blessings  upon  his  children  at  family 
prayers  alone.  Often  has  he  taken  me  with  him  in 
solitude,  particularly  when  I  was  about  to  leave  home, 
and  there,  upon  our  bended  knees,  has  he  committed  me 
to  the  special  care  and  keeping  of  our  heavenly  Father. 
What  he  has  done  for  me  in  this  respect,  I  presume  he 
has  done  for  the  others. 

"  He  was  always  social  and  familiar  with  his  children, 
courting  and  receiving  their  confidence  on  all  subjects. 
I  do  not  now  recollect  ever  to  have  been  corrected  by 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


389 


him,  nor  of  his  correcting  others.  But  he  has  often  told 
me  that  he  commenced  early  with  his  children,  knowing 
that  when  obedience  was  gained,  the  rest  was  easy.  He 
was  always  mild,  firm,  and  decided ;  never  suffering  us  to 
reason  with  him  in  order  to  have  our  own  way,  when  he 
had  made  a  requirement  of  us,  in  itself  reasonable. 
Neither  did  he  suffer  us,  when  required  to  do  a  thing, 
to  go  about  it  murmuring.  We  were  taught  to  do  it 
cheerfully.  Seldom  did  any  of  us  require  to  be  told  the 
second  time  to  do  a  thing.  He  never  overlooked  any 
little  dissensions  among  us,  but  he  always  suppressed 
angry  words,  and  inculcated  brotherly  love.  We  all 
loved,  feared,  and  obeyed  him,  and  we  also  loved  each 
other.  There  was  ever  a  dignity,  propriety,  and  consis- 
tency of  demeanor,  pervading  ail  his  actions,  under  all 
circumstances,  which  could  not  fail  to  command  our 
respect  and  reverence  ;  whicli  exercised  a  sort  of  charm 
over  us,  and  effectually  prevented  the  outbreakings  of 
disobedience.  He  was  affectionate  almost  beyond  com- 
parison. His  solicitude  for  his  children  was  intense,  and 
when  his  fifth  child  was  consigned  to  the  silent  tomb,  it 
did  seem  as  if  his  heart' would  break.  And  yet,  under  all 
his  affliction,  I  never  saw  him  shed  a  tear.  He  had  such 
command  over  his  feelings,  as  but  few  possess.  He  was 
such  a  father  as  but  few  po.ssess.  His  loss  none  can 
tell." 

Whoever  had  the  privilege  of  joining  with  that  family 
in  their  devotions,  after  the  afflictions  which  have  been 
detailed  in  the  letters  began  to  be  opened  to  them,  could 
not  but  learn  something  of  the  effect  upon  the  affectionate 
father's  heart.  In  some  way,  there  were  delicate  allusions 
to  what  God  had  done,  and  the  realities  of  the  eternal 
world  were  brought  so  near ;  so  presented  before  the 
soul ;  such  a  justification  of  God's  ways,  and  such  earnest 
33  * 


390  MEMOIR  OF  ALVAN  HYDE. 


supplications  for  something  better  than  life  to  the  dear 
survivors  ;  it  was  evident,  that  though  God  had  caused 
grief,  he  had  applied  the  balm  of  Gilead,  and  administered 
healing  and  consolation.  The  parents  were  eminently 
happy  in  each  other.  There  was  a  union  of  influence  to 
bless  their  household.  The  bereaved  widow  lives  to 
mourn,  when  she  thinks  of  herself  and  her  children,  and 
to  bless  God  for  the  mercies  mingled  in  her  cup,  and  to 
pray  that  hers  may  yet  constitute  an  unbroken  family  in 
heaven. 


CHAPTER  XV. 


LAST   SICKNESS  AND  DEATH. 


The  last  year  of  Dr.  Hyde's  life  was  a  year  of  constant 
activity,  and  all  his  services  were  devoted  to  one  object — 
it  was  Christ  for  liiin  to  live.  From  the  last  record  in  his 
diary,  and  from  letters  of  a  later  date,  it  is  evident  he  was 
deeply  impressed  with  the  trials  awaiting  aged  ministers, 
and  that  alarming  evils  were  impending  over  the  churches. 
"  I  was  never  more  solicitous  for  my  people  than  at  this 
time,  and  never  saw  the  churches  in  Berkshire  so  threat- 
ened with  an  inundation  of  error  and  divisions.  He  met 
these  trials  as  ministers  should  always  meet  every  afiliction 
which  comes  upon  them,  not  in  a  spirit  of  repining,  or 
yielding  to  discouragement,  but  by  an  increase  of  humility 
and  prayer,  and  activity  in  appropriate  labors.  During 
the  summer  and  fall  of  1833,  he  exhibited  as  much 
energy  in  his  work,  as  in  any  period  of  his  life.  For 
months,  he  attended  a  religious  meeting  each  day,  besides 
performing  his  usual  services  on  the  Sabbath,  and  visiting 
from  house  to  house.  In  one  of  his  letters  written  during 
the  fall,  he  says,  "This  unexpected  and  heavy  trial,  re- 
ferring to  a  scene  which  had  opened,  is  such  an  one  as 
the  ministers  and  churches  have  needed.  We  have  been 
unfaithful.    In  conversation  with  one  of  his  most  intimate 


392 


MEMOIR  OF 


friends,  one  with  whom  he  had  breasted  many  a  storm, 
and  stood  shoulder  to  shoulder  in  many  a  conflict,  he  said, 
*'  My  family  afflictions  have  never  been  so  keen  a  trial, 
and  come  so  near  my  heart,  as  the  interruption  of  that 
harmony  and  order,  which  have  contributed  so  much  to 
the  prosperity  of  the  churches  in  Berkshire."  Referring 
to  the  same  trials,  he  says  in  a  letter,  "  I  am  now  study- 
ing to  guide  and  feed  my  flock  after  such  scenes  as  we 
have  passed  through." 

On  the  2Sth  of  November,  the  day  of  the  annual 
thanksgiving,  the  pastor  was  with  his  beloved  flock,  and 
addressed  them  from  Psalm  cxviii.  1.  "O  give  thanks 
unto  the  Lord,  for  he  is  good,  and  his  mercy  endureth 
forever."  He  spoke  with  his  usual  animation  and  distinct- 
ness, but  observed,  soon  after  the  dose  of  public  services, 
that  it  was  with  more  effort  than  usual  that  he  had 
preached,  and  that  he  apprehended  it  might  result  in  some 
injury  to  his  health.  His  apprehensions  were  not  ground- 
less. He  soon  became  so  ill  as  to  be  confined  to  his 
house.  The  Sabbath  following,  he  was  so  much  unwell 
that  he  did  not  visit  the  house  of  God.  On  Monday  he 
was  so  comfortable  as  to  spend  a  part  of  the  day  in  his 
study,  and  he  greeted  company  with  his  accustomed 
cheerfulness.  On  Tuesday,  the  3d  of  December,  he 
arose  as  usual  early,  met  his  family  at  that  most  delightful 
place  to  him,  the  domestic  altar,  directed  their  thoughts 
and  desires  to  heaven,  and  implored  for  them,  and  for 
himself,  and  his  church,  and  the  world,  those  blessings 
which  none  but  Christ  can  bestow.  Soon  after  this  last 
season  of  devotion  with  his  household,  he  became  more 
unwell,  and  called  in  his  family  physician.  Medicine  was 
administered  which  did  not  have  the  desired  effect.  Still 
there  were  no  symptoms  which  excited  particular  alarm. 
He  left  his  room  occasionally  during  the  day,  and  main- 
tained his  usual  serenity  and  cheerfulness.     Some  time 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


393 


during  the  afternoon,  he  went  to  his  desk  in  his  study, 
took  from  it  a  will  which  he  had  previously  prepared,  but 
had  not  signed,  handed  it  to  his  wife,  requesting  that  it 
might  be  in  readiness  should  it  be  called  for.  Towards 
the  close  of  the  day  it  became  evident  to  himself  that  the 
hour  of  his  dissolution  was  approaching.  He  informed 
his  friends  that  his  last  sickness  had  come.  With  his 
characteristic  equanimity  and  self-possession,  he  desired  to 
be  raised  from  his  bed,  and  to  be  seated  in  his  chair.  He 
called  for  his  will,  which  he  signed  with  a  full  and  fair 
hand,  as  he  ever  wrote  in  perfect  health.  He  then  handed 
it  to  his  physician,  requesting  him,  and  the  counselling 
physicians  to  witness  it,  adding,  "  Set  thine  house  in 
order." 

Not  long  after,  he  said  to  Dr.  B.,  "Give  this  as  my 
dying  charge  to  the  church.  Tell  them  to  pray  much, 
that  the  Lord  would  send  them  an  evangelical  pastor,  one 
who  will  build  them  up — you  know  what  I  mean  by  build- 
ing up."  Here  he  was  deprived  for  a  moment,  either  by 
a  paroxysm  of  pain,  or  by  mental  feeling,  of  the  power  of 
utterance,  and  the  doctor  added,  "  You  mean  one  who  will 
contend  earnestly  for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints." 
"Yes,  I  do,"  he  replied  with  emphasis.  The  language  of 
the  apostle  was  repeated  in  his  hearing  :  "  I  have  fought  a 
good  fight,  I  have  finished  my  course,  I  have  kept  the 
faith.  Henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of 
righteousness,  which  the  Lord,  the  righteous  Judge,  shall 
give  me  at  that  day."  He  replied,  "I  have  often  thought 
of  that  passage,  but  when  I  reflect  how  I  have  fought,  I 
find  I  have  come  short  in  every  thing,  and  my  only  refuge 
is  sovereign  grace  for  the  chief  of  sinners,  through  the 
atoning  blood  of  Christ." 

About  5  o'clock  on  Wednesday  morning  he  addressed 
his  wife,  saying,  "  We  have  lived  happily  together  many 
years,  we  must  now  be  separated.   Put  your  trust  in  God," 


394 


MEMOIR  OF  ALVAN  HYDE. 


She  observed,  "  When  I  have  been  in  affliction,  I  have 
had  a  counsellor  and  friend,  to  sj  mpatliize  with  me,  but 
now  I  am  to  be  left  alone."  He  cheerfully  repeated, 
*'  Put  your  trust  in  God.  He  will  never  leave  you  nor 
forsake  you." 

To  his  son  he  said,  "  I  have  made  arrangements  for  you 
to  live  with  your  mother.  Be  kind  to  her.  This  house 
has  been  a  house  of  prayer  for  forty  years.  Let  it  be  a 
house  of  prayer  still.  You  will  have  many  calls.  Let  it 
be  a  house  of  Christian  hospitality.  Be  a  friend  to 
Christ  and  his  people.  This  is  the  counsel  of  your  dying 
father." 

He  requested  the  doctor  to  read  four  verses  from  the 
14th  chapter  of  John.  "  Let  not  your  heart  be  troubled, 
ye  believe  in  God,  believe  also  in  me.  In  my  father's 
house  are  many  mansions;  if  it  were  not  so  I  would  have 
told  you.  I  go  to  prepare  a  place  for  you.  And  if  I  go 
and  prepare  a  place  for  you,  I  will  come  again  and  receive 
you  to  myself,  that  where  I  am  there  ye  may  be  also. 
And  whither  I  go,  ye  know,  and  the  way  ye  know."  He 
then  asked  Mr.  T.  to  kneel  down  and  pray. 

He  tlien  said,  "  Let  those  who  can  sing  unite  in  singing 
the  146lh  psalm,  the  first  stanza,"  and  named  St.  Helen's 
as  the  tune. 

"  I'll  praise  my  Maker  with  my  breath. 
And  when  my  voice  is  lost  in  death, 

Praise  shall  employ  my  nobler  powers ; 
My  daj's  of  praise  shall  ne'er  be  past, 
Wiiile  life,  and  thought,  and  being  last. 

Or  immortality  endures." 

He  then  said,  "  Dr.  B.,  will  you  kneel  down  and  pray 
with  me  once  more?"  These  were  his  last  words.  In  a 
few  moments  after  the  voice  of  prayer  ceased,  he  fell 
asleep.    "  Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord." 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


NOTICES   OF    DR.   HYDE,  SHOWING    THE    ESTIMATION  IN 

WHICH    HE    WAS    HELD  LETTERS   OF  CONDOLENCE  TO 

THE   WIDOW,  FROM  DRS.   HUMPHREY  AND  POUTER. 

A  SKETCH  has  been  given  in  the  preceding  pages  of  the 
life  and  labors  of  Dr.  Hyde,  as  delineated  by  his  own 
hand  in  his  diary  and  letters.  It  has  been  thought  by  the 
compiler,  that  this  would  exhibit  him  more  satisfactorily  to 
the  reader  than  by  attempting  to  portray  his  character  in 
any  other  manner.  In  this  chapter  a  few  of  the  notices 
of  him,  which  were  presented  to  the  public  soon  after  his 
decease,  are  collected,  showing  the  estimation  in  which  he 
was  held  by  those  who  had  the  best  opportunities  to  ap- 
preciate his  worth. 

Id  one  of  the  journals  announcing  his  death,  are  the 
following  expressions. 

"  Dr.  Hyde  filled  a  large  space  in  the  public  mind.  He 
was  very  extensively  known  as  the  patron  of  literature 
and  of  the  benevolent  enterprises  of  the  age,  and  as  an 
ardent  friend  and  active  promoter  of  genuine  revivals  of 
religion.  The  general  impression  in  this  section  of  the 
church  is,  that  a  great  man  has  fallen  in  Israel." 

Another  says,  "  This  good  man  occupied  a  place  so 
distinguished  in  the  affections  and  respect  of  the  commu- 


396 


MEMOIR  OF 


nity,  that  something  more  is  demanded  from  one  who 
knew  him  well,  than  the  simple  annunciation  of  his  death. 
He  was  settled  in  the  year  as  a  minister  of  the 

congregational  church  in  the  place  where  he  died,  and 
for  more  than  forty  years  sustained  the  relation  of  pastor 
to  the  same  people  ;  during  all  which  time  he  was  literally 
'  the  shepherd  of  his  flock.'  In  a  parish  containing  less 
than  two  thousand  inhabitants,  his  church  consisted  for 
many  years  of  near  four  hundred  communicants,  and 
during  his  ministry  he  was  instrumental  in  admitting 
about  seven  hundred  members.  The  strong  traits  of  his 
character  were,  sound  judgment  and  varied  learning,  un- 
deviating  rectitude,  faithful  devotion  to  the  discharge  of 
every  duty,  and  great  personal  dignity,  combined  with  a 
remarkable  simplicity  of  manner,  life,  and  conversation. 
To  those  who  did  not  know  him  well,  it  is  not  easy  to 
conceive  the  good  he  did  in  the  world  ;  but  there  are 
thousands  who  can  attest  it,  and  who  will  never  cease  to 
revere  his  name. 

"  He  was  often  solicited  to  take  charge  of  some  of  the 
most  ceieijrated  literary  and  theological  institutions  of  that 
section,  but  nothing  could  ever  prevail  on  him  to  separate 
from  his  people,  in  his  own  valley  of  the  Housatonic.  To 
them  he  devoted  his  life,  under  a  strong  sense  that  God 
had  placed  him  there,  and  that  it  was  his  duty  to  stay  by 
them.  He  was  in  the  habit  of  saying,  for  many  years 
before  his  death,  when  he  accompanied  his  friends  from  a 
distance  to  the  burial-ground  of  his  parish — '  Here  is  my 
congregation.'  He  has  now  gone  himself  to  join  that 
congregation,  'the  great  congregation  of  the  dead.' 

"  In  his  dying  moments  his  mind  was  perfectly  calm 
and  collected — He  conversed,  gave  directions,  made  re- 
quests, and  uttered  his  last  adieu,  with  the  same  calmness 
and  self-possession  that  always  attended  him  on  leaving 
home  for  a  journey." 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


397 


Another  notice  appeared  in  the  following  language  : 
"  I  have  just  returned  from  attending  the  funeral  of  Dr. 
Hyde,  of  Lee.  The  occasion  was  one  of  extraordinary 
interest,  and  probably  the  funeral  of  no  other  man  in  the 
county,  would  have  called  together  so  large  an  assem- 
blage of  people.  His  numerous  parishioners  were  col- 
lected, and  their  appearance  was  that  of  dutiful  and  affec- 
tionate children,  mourning  the  loss  of  a  venerated  father. 
The  religious  services  were  suited  to  the  occasion.  The 
sermon  was  delivered  by  a  brother  in  the  ministry,  be- 
tween whom  and  the  deceased,  a  most  intimate  and  affec- 
tionate intercourse  had  been  kept  up  for  forty  years. 
When  the  preacher  came  to  speak  of  the  character 
of  his  friend,  the  change  in  his  countenance  gave  in- 
dication of  the  emotions  that  struggled  in  his  bosom, 
and  it  was  with  the  utmost  difficulty  that  he  could  pro- 
ceed. The  singing  was  in  good  taste,  soft  and  plain- 
tive ;  and  the  Dying  Christian  was  never  sung  on  an 
occasion  more  appropriate.  Just  as  the  benediction  was 
pronounced,  an  incident  occurred  that  was  peculiarly 
affecting.  A  son  of  Dr.  Hyde,  who  resides  in  the  city  of 
New  York,  arrived — entered  the  church — passed  up  the 
aisle,  by  the  side  of  the  lifeless  remains  of  his  father — and 
took  his  seat  in  the  pew  with  his  mother.  The  last  time 
they  were  together,  she  was  happy  in  the  kindness  of  a 
husband,  and  he  in  the  love  of  a  fatlier — now  she  is  a 
widow,  and  he  an  orphan. 

"Dr.  Hyde  was  no  ordinary  man;  but  I  will  not  un- 
dertake to  give  you  a  sketch  of  his  character  ;  nor  will  I 
speak  of  his  devotedness  to  the  ministerial  office  ;  nor  of 
his  faithfulness  to  the  people  of  his  charge ;  nor  of  his 
peculiar  qualifications  for  examining  and  exciting  the 
interest  of  students,  in  every  grade  of  learning,  from  the 
highest  class  in  college  to  the  youngest  class  in  the  infant 
school ;  nor  of  his  excellence  as  a  theological  teacher ; 
34 


398 


MEMOIR  OF 


nor  of  the  influence  he  exerted  in  forming  and  carrying 
forward  the  religious  charitable  institutions  in  this  section 
of  country,  over  many  of  which  he  presided  ;  but  I  would 
just  mention  one  trait  in  his  character,  and  that  is  useful- 
ness. I  knew  him  well,  and  I  can  honestly  say  that  I 
never  was  acquainted  with  another  man,  who  so  seldom 
lost  sight  of  his  obligation  to  be  useful.  In  every  situation 
in  which  he  was  placed,  in  every  company  in  which  he 
was  called  upon  to  speak  or  act,  wherever  he  was,  and 
whatever  he  did,  the  obligation  to  be  useful,  pressed  upon 
him  in  all  its  force.  And  that  this  pressure  was  not  felt 
in  vain,  thousands  can  witness.  In  his  presence,  igno- 
rance was  enlightened,  error  was  exposed,  vice  was 
abashed,  goodness  was  encouraged,  virtue  was  strength- 
ened. 

"  Every  body  expected  that  Dr.  Hyde  would  die  as  he 
lived.  Such  was  the  fact.  That  atonement  which  he 
had  so  often  proclaimed  to  others,  as  the  only  ground  of 
hope  and  peace,  sustained  his  hope,  and  gave  peace  to  his 
departing  spirit.  He  had  been  so  long  prominent  before 
the  public,  that  he  was  generally  supposed  to  have  passed 
the  ordinary  age  of  man,  though  he  was  not  quite  sixty-six 
years  old." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Berkshire  Bible  Society,  the  follow- 
ing paragraphs  were  embodied  io  the  report  of  the  Execu- 
tive Committee. 

"  When  this  Society  was  organized,  in  1817,  the 
Hon.  William  Walker  was  elected  President,  and  Rev. 
Alvan  Hyde,  D.  D.,  Vice  President.  They  were  annu- 
ally re-elected  to  their  ofiices  afterward,  until  the  decease 
of  Judge  Walker,  in  the  autumn  of  1831.  Dr.  Hyde  suc- 
ceeded him  as  President,  at  the  anniversary  in  1832,  and 
held  the  office  at  his  death  the  last  month. 

"  These  excellent  men,  who  contributed  so  much  to  the 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


399 


formation,  growth,  and  prosperity  of  this  society,  resem- 
bled each  other  in  several  points  of  their  history  and  traits 
of  character.  Both  rose  to  distinction  by  a  course  of  be- 
coming and  virtuous  conduct.  They  were  well  behaved 
in  childhood  and  youth,  disposed  to  avail  themselves  of 
the  advantages  for  knowledge,  with  which,  in  different 
degrees,  they  were  favored ;  they  were  gentlemanly  in 
manhood,  and  grave  and  dignified  as  they  advanced  in 
age.  They  were  the  friends  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the 
friends  of  each  other,  and  of  good  men.  Both  exercised  a 
very  happy  influence,  particularly  in  the  towns  in  which 
they  lived,  in  the  county  also,  in  the  church,  and  in  the 
world.  They  fellowshipped  the  benevolent  enterprises  of 
the  age,  and  aided  them  by  their  counsels,  resources,  and 
prayers.  Their  names  are  identified  with  almost  every 
thing  of  a  general  nature  in  this  vicinity,  which  has  for  its 
object  the  good  of  society.  They  were  lovely  and  pleasant 
in  their  lives,  and  the  death  of  the  latter  soon  followed 
that  of  the  former. 

"  The  excellencies  of  Dr.  Hyde,  whose  death  is  so 
recent,  are  too  well  known  to  those  who  compose  this 
audience,  and  too  justly  appreciated  by  them  ;  they  are 
brought  before  the  community  in  too  many  publications  at 
the  present  time,  to  render  many  observations  needful. 
We  should,  however,  do  violence  to  our  feelings  on  this 
anniversary,  to  pass  along  without  an  affectionate  and 
grateful  notice  of  his  worth,  which  by  the  acknowledg- 
ment of  all  was  very  great.  This  appeared  in  the  various 
services  of  a  long  public  life.  The  eminence  to  which  he 
attained  was  not  owing  so  much  to  the  prominence  of  any 
one  attribute,  as  to  the  even  balancing  and  regular  exer- 
cise of  the  various  attributes  of  his  mind  ;  not  to  solitary 
splendid  actions,  but  to  the  steady,  consistent  prosecution 
of  that  which  is  good.  The  secret  of  his  g«eat  usefulness 
lay  in  his  good  sense,  exact  method,  punctuality,  and  dili- 


400 


MEMOIR  OF 


gence,  sanctified  by  the  grace  of  God.  In  the  appropriate 
every  day  duties  of  his  family  and  parish,  his  influence 
was  the  most  deeply  felt.  His  family  and  people  are  wit- 
nesses, and  God  also,  how  holily,  and  justly,  and  un- 
bJamably  he  behaved  himself  among  them.  In  the  duties 
of  the  ministry,  in  which  he  spent  his  strength  and  life, 
he  came  nearer  to  the  requisitions  of  the  apostle  Paul,  in 
his  letters  to  Timothy  and  Titus,  than  is  ordinarily  true 
of  the  eminent  in  his  profession.  He  was  a  lover  of  hos- 
pitality, a  lover  of  good  men  :  sober,  just,  holy,  temperate. 
In  all  things  he  showed  himself  a  pattern  of  good  works; 
in  doctrine  he  showed  incorruptness,  gravity,  sincerity. 
In  his  intercourse  with  his  brethren  in  the  ministry,  and 
with  society  generally,  he  maintained  that  conversation 
which  is  good  to  the  use  of  edifying,  that  it  might  minis- 
ter grace  unto  the  hearers.  In  all  the  stations  which  he 
was  called  to  fill,  and  in  all  the  relations  he  sustained,  his 
counsels,  example,  and  prayers,  tended  continually  to 
enlighten,  purify,  and  bless. 

"  But  the  Lord  has  removed  him  suddenly  from  us,  and 
from  his  labors  on  earth.  The  best  respect  we  can  pay 
to  his  memory,  and  to  the  memory  of  his  honored  prede- 
cessor in  the  presidency  of  this  institution,  will  be,  and 
with  all  seriousness  and  fidelity,  (as  death  may  soon  come,) 
to  love  and  study,  practice  and  circulate  that  blessed  book, 
which  so  happily  controlled  their  faith  and  their  conduct, 
sustained  them  in  the  closing  scenes  of  life,  and  prepared 
them,  through  the  accompanying  influences  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  for  that  larger  and  higher  sphere  of  happiness  and 
service  in  heaven,  where  we  have  every  reason  to  believe 
they  are  now  united." 

The  following  letters  of  condolence,  addressed  to  the 
widow,  will  be  read  with  interest. 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


401 


"  Amherst  college,  Jan.  5,  1834. 

"My  dear  Madam, 

"  I  cannot  possibly  describe  the  thrill  which  went 
over  me,  when  the  tidings  came  that  my  venerable  father 
and  friend,  your  husband,  was  no  more.  I  had  not  heard 
a  syllable  of  his  sickness,  and  such  were  my  impressions, 
in  regard  to  the  strength  of  his  constitution,  that  I  was 
not  at  all  prepared  for  the  mournful  intelligence.  And  is 
he  really  gone  forever  from  that  habitation,  which  was  so 
long  cheered  by  the  glowing  constellations  of  his  domestic 
affections,  no  less  than  by  his  bright  Christian  example  1 
Will  he  no  more  offer  the  morning  and  evenincr  sacrifice 
upon  that  altar,  where  he  kept  up  the  holy  fire  for  more 
than  forty  years  1  Shall  we  no  more  meet  his  benignant 
smile,  nor  press  his  warm  hand  upon  that  threshold  which 
no  man  could  pass,  without  feeling,  '  here  dwells  an 
Israelite  indeed,  in  whom  there  is  no  guile  ?  '  Will  the 
expectant  congregation  see  him  no  more  in  the  sacred 
desk  ;  nor  his  beloved  church  at  the  table  of  the  Lord  ; 
nor  his  brethren  in  the  ministry,  at  their  stated  meetings 
and  ordination  solemnities  ?  Are  the  churches  in  Berk- 
shire never  more  to  look  upon  the  face  of  a  father  so 
much  revered  and  beloved  ? 

"  But  why  should  I  linger  upon  this  mournful  train  of 
reflections,  which  I  fear  have  more  of  complaint  than  of 
resignation  in  them  ?  'The  Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord  hath 
taken  away  ;  and  blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord.'  Your 
loss,  my  dear  madam,  is  indeed  irreparable.  But  how 
many  blessed  consolations  has  God  mingled  in  the  cup  of 
your  afflictions  !  What  a  blessing  that  you  had  such  a 
husband  to  lose  !  What  a  blessing  that  he  was  spared  to 
you  and  your  children  so  many  years  1  What  a  legacy  of 
prayers  and  counsels  has  he  left  behind  him  !  What 
strong  evidence,  what  full  assurance,  I  had  almost  said, 
34  * 


402 


MEMOIR  OF 


that  he  has  gone  to  reap  tlie  rich  and  glorious  reward  of 
a  good  and  faithful  servant ! 

"  I  cannot  think  of  him  as  on  the  bed  of  sickness,  nor 
in  the  dark  valley,  nor  in  Jordan's  cold  stream  ;  but  as 
discharging  all  the  duties  of  a  good  minister  of  Jesus 
Christ,  with  extraordinary  diligence  and  success :  and 
then  being  released  at  once  from  the  toils  of  a  long  life, 
to  go  and  be  forever  with  the  Lord.  How  many,  have 
we  reason  to  believe,  will,  throughout  eternity,  rejoice  at 
the  remembrance  of  his  faithful  ministry,  and  shine  as 
jewels  in  his  crown  forever  and  ever. 

"  I  have  been  greatly  interested  in  the  pastoral  address 
of  the  Berkshire  Association,  which  I  am  told  was  from 
Dr.  Hyde's  pen,  and  which  is  worthy  of  the  last  thoughts 
and  efforts  of  such  a  minister,  of  the  father  of  all  the 
churches  in  the  county.  I  had  rather  be  the  author  of 
such  a  document,  in  finishing  my  course,  than  to  go  down 
to  the  grave  with  all  the  honors  which  literary  distinction 
can  ever  accumulate.  '  The  righteous  shall  be  had  in 
everlasting  remembrance.'  Had  your  inestimable  hus- 
band been  a  less  able  and  faithful  servant  of  his  Master, 
we  should  not  have  felt  his  loss  as  we  now  do ;  but  neither 
should  we  have  rejoiced  as  we  are  permitted  to,  in  his  re- 
moval from  earth  to  heaven.  '  By  the  grace  of  God,  he 
was  what  he  was.'  May  that  divine  Spirit  who  qualified 
him  so  eminently  for  his  work,  sustain  and  comfort  you 
under  this  greatest  of  your  trials.  May  your  children  all 
follow  his  bright  Christian  example,  while  they  carefully 
treasure  up  his  invaluable  counsels.  The  widow's  God 
and  the  Father  of  the  fatherless  is  Jehovah,  in  his  holy 
habitation.  Mrs.  H.  unites  with  me  in  Christian  sym- 
pathy, and  I  am,  with  much  esteem,  your  friend, 

"  H.  HuMPHREV." 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


403 


''Catskill,  Dec.  7,  1833. 
"  Much  respected  and  bereaved  Madam, 

"  The  death  of  your  dear  husband,  and  our  highly 
respected  and  invaluable  friend,  was  announced  to  me 
this  morning.  The  sorrowful  tidings  came  from  New 
York,  in  the  Commercial  Advertiser,  a  daily  paper.  In 
the  evening  we  received  information  a  little  more  par- 
ticular; that  Dr.  Hyde  preached  on  thanksgiving  day; 
that  on  the  Sabbath  following,  he  was  indisposed,  and 
did  not  attend  meeting,  that  he  died  on  Wednesday,  and 
that  the  funeral  was  to  be  attended  on  Saturday.  Of 
other  circumstances,  of  his  last  words,  and  the  dying 
scene,  if  God  permit,  we  shall  hear  in  due  time.  Rarely 
will  an  instance  of  mortality  be  more  severely  and  exten- 
sively felt,  than  the  death  of  your  inestimable  husband. 
The  ministers  of  the  gospel,  and  the  churches  far  and 
near,  will  be  clad  in  deep  and  solemn  mourning.  And 
why  should  they  not  be  grieved,  and  weep,  and  mourn, 
since  they  are  called  to  part  with  a  father,  a  brother, 
a  friend — one  of  their  ablest  counsellors  and  guides,  a 
divine  and  minister  of  rare  endowments — whose  influence 
was  widely  extended,  and  whose  example,  and  every  action 
and  movement,  with  the  fewest  exceptions,  were  a  living 
comment  in  witness  of  the  power  and  grace  of  almighty 
God.  With  your  departed  husband,  I  had  been  acquaint- 
ed more  than  forty  years,  and  with  more  than  ordinary 
intimacy.  And  no  one  could  know  him  without  deeming 
it  a  peculiar  privilege;  and  if  any  one  desired  to  become 
wiser  and  better,  in  marking  all  his  footsteps,  he  could 
not  fail  of  remembering,  with  gratitude  to  God,  that  he 
had  been  furnished  with  such  a  pattern  of  excellence, 
uniting  in  one  man  an  assemblage  of  intellectual  and 
moral  qualities,  which  could  not  possibly  fail  to  secure 
confidence,  esteem,  and  love. 

"  It  is  saying  none  too  much,  to  say  that  your  dear  hus- 


404 


MEMOIR  OF 


band  was  a  burning  and  shining  light,  and  that  thousands, 
and  tens  of  thousands,  for  many  years,  rejoiced  in  that 
light.  But  he  is  gone,  and  we  are  to  see  his  face  no 
more;  that  tongue,  which  was  the  law  of  kindness,  is 
silent  in  death.  When  I  think  of  the  ministers  in  Berk- 
shire— of  the  churches — of  the  college — of  the  benevolent 
institutions,  and  of  society  at  large,  I  associate  them  in 
my  mind,  as  mourners  in  common,  every  one.  In  Lee, 
the  church  and  congregation,  of  which  he  was  pastor 
more  than  forty  years,  must  be  cast  down.  I  can  imagine 
their  grief  to  be  beyond  the  power  of  restraint,  and  that 
they  well-nigh  refuse  to  be  comforted. 

"  The  stroke  is  heavy,  indeed,  on  your  sons ;  but 
heaviest  of  all  on  yourself,  and  requires  infinitely  more 
than  human  alleviation  to  assuage  your  grief,  and  bind 
up  and  heal  your  broken  heart.  He  was  the  husband  of 
your  youth,  your  other  self,  more  to  you  than  all  mortals 
besides.  But  there  is  one  left  dearer  than  he.  The  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  is  always  nigh,  and  his  love  is  infinite — many 
waters  cannot  quench  nor  the  floods  drown  it.  And  he  it 
is  who  has  done  this  thing ;  and  though  why  he  has  done 
it  you  know  not  now,  yet  you  shall  know  hereafter.  The 
blessed  Saviour  has  a  feeling  for  our  infirmities,  and 
afflicts  his  children  for  their  profit,  that  they  might  par- 
take more  largely  of  his  holiness.  He  knew  beforehand, 
what  he  was  about  to  do.  He  saw  the  wound,  and  the 
pain  you  feel,  before  he  struck.  It  has  been  done  in 
infinite  kindness.  He  will  not  leave  you  comfortless. 
He  has  power  to  sustain  you,  and  his  promise  is  sure.  So 
certain  as  you  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  so  certain  it  is 
that  this  sore  affliction  is  designed  to  fit  you  for  heaven, 
and  to  work  out  for  you  a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal 
weight  of  glory.  Though  I  know  you  to  be  well-nigh 
overwhelmed,  with  the  billows  rolling  over  you,  yet  I 
cannot  think  of  you  otherwise  than  one  remarkably  dis- 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


405 


tinguished,  and  highly  favored  of  the  Lord.  To  remember 
that  you  once  had  such,  and  such,  dear  children,  and  that 
you  had  them  so  long,  must  be  a  sweet  and  pleasing  recol- 
lection. And  can  you  sufficiently  admire  and  adore  the 
goodness  of  God  for  such  a  companion  as  he  saw  fit  to 
provide '?  What  could  God  have  done  more  for  you  than 
he  has  done  for  you  ?  And  though  he  has  seen  fit  to 
remove  him,  he  is  not  lost.  O  no!  Though  dead,  he  yet 
speaks.  He  preaches,  even  now,  to  his  people,  to  the 
world,  to  his  brethren  in  the  ministry,  and  to  yourself  and 
your  dear  children,  most  emphatically.  Dr.  Hyde  was 
one  of  those,  who  lived  while  he  lived — and  lives  after 
he  is  dead — and  will  live  from  generation  to  generation. 
And  why  should  not  God  take  him  now,  when  he  needs 
him  for  other  work,  in  a  higher  sphere  ?  Of  the  place 
where  he  is,  and  of  his  associates,  there  can  be  no  doubt 
at  all.  He  is  in  heaven.  He  is  with  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  his  Redeemer,  whom  he  loved  and  admired,  as 
the  chiefest  among  ten  thousands,  while  here  below,  and 
ere  this  has  had  a  blessed  introduction  to  the  ancient 
saints,  the  prophets,  and  apostles,  and  all  the  glorified  in 
the  upper  kingdom,  and  is  now,  without  sin,  mingling  his 
notes  with  theirs. 

"  And  now,  dear  madam,  as  much  as  you  loved  him, 
and  afflicted  and  as  lonely  as  you  are,  would  you  bring 
him  back  again  to  this  troubled  world  ?  Would  you  break 
him  off  from  the  song  of  the  ransomed  wliich  he  is  just 
beginning  to  raise,  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory  ? 
I  have  just  been  reading  the  letter  your  dear  husband 
wrote  me  soon  after  the  death  of  our  beloved  William.  I 
answered  that  letter ;  but  I  could  not  repay  him  for  the 
precious  sentiments  it  contained,  and  the  consolation  it 
afforded,  in  that  season  of  peculiar  trial.  We  knov;  we 
cannot  cause  your  tears  and  sighs  to  cease,  or  take  from 
you  the  bitter  cup  the  Lord  hath  given  you  to  drink.  But 


406  MEMOIR  OF 

we  can  condole  and  sympathize  with  you  and  your  family, 
and  do  most  sincerely. 

"  Remember  us  in  your  prayers,  and  be  assured  I  am 
yours  most  sincerely, 

"  David  Porter." 


LINES 

On  the.  Death  of  Mvan  Hyde,  D.  D.,  of  Lee. 

Hark!  all  ye  watchmpn  placed  on  Zion's  towers 

As  each  his  brother  hails  '  What  of  the  night  ? ' 

From  yonder  fane  peals  loud  a  solemn  knell, 

And  falls  on  many  hearts,  full  heavily. 

To  you  it  speaks,  '  The  night,  the  night  comes  on 

Wiicii  all  your  work,  howe'er  perforin'd,  must  end.' 

Another  sun  is  set,  whose  brilliant  light 

Illum'd  our  path,  and  cheer'd  us  on  our  way  ; 

A  sun  without  a  cloud  from  morn  to  eve, 

And  in  whose  light  we  long  rejoic'd  to  walk. 

Another  pillar  in  the  courts  of  God 

Has  fall'n,  and  Zion's  sons  and  daughters  weep. 

Ye  band  of  pa'-  tors,  come,  here  blend  your  tears 

With  the  lov'd  flock,  whose  shepherd  sleeps  in  death. 

A  father,  friend,  and  counsellor  is  gone. 

Whose  heart  was  knit  to  yours  by  heav'nly  tics; 

With  you  he  wept,  when  ye  did  weep  ;  his  heart, 

When  ye  icjoic'd,  did  feel  a  brother's  joy — 

With  you  he  pray'd  and  toird,in  council  sat. 

And  made  your  heaviest  burdens  all  his  own. 

How  oft  with  him  ye  held  communion  sweet. 

And  in  delightful  interchange  of  thought. 

Did  taste  the  pleasures  Christian  friendship  yields. 

His  Master's  honor,  and  the  cause  of  truth, 

The  weal  or  wo  of  Zion  well-belov'd 

With  blood  most  precious  bought,  dwelt  on  his  heart, 

Call'd  forth  his  intercessions  day  by  day, 


ALVAN  HYDE. 


407 


And  prompted  him  to  labors  ceaseless. 
Wisdom  and  prudence  and  the  law  of  love 
Dwelt  ever  on  his  tongue — tho'  meek  and  mild, 
To  trutli  most  steadfast  and  to  duty  firm. 
He  lov'd  iiis  Master,  and  his  work,  nor  shunn'd 
The  Cross,  but  bore  it  with  a  dauntless  heart ; 
And  while  lie  fought  the  Cliristian's  fight  of  faith, 
His  well  known  weapon  was  the  word  of  God. 
Of  learning  and  of  science  sound,  the  friend. 
Yet  most  lie  lov'd  to  sit,  a  learner  meek. 
Low,  at  the  Saviour's  feet,  and  hear  his  words, 
And  treasure  them  most  deeply  in  his  heart, 
Unmix'd  with  dreams  of  vain  philosophy. 
Hence  in  the  work  of  God's  ambassador 
His  steadfast  aim  to  speak  as  God  has  taught 
In  his  unerring,  changeless  oracles. 
Not  words  of  pomp  and  empty  useless  sound, 
But  words  of  truth  and  soberness. 

Thou  flock  of  God  bereft !  each  of  your  names 

He  bore  upon  liis  heart,  and  gave  to  each 

His  portion,  food  divine,  instruction  pure. 

Fresh-drawn  from  God's  own  book  of  trutli  and  grace; 

And  on  his  memory's  bright  page  enroU'd 

He  kept  the  name  of  ev'ry  tender  lamb 

By  the  Chief  Shepherd  to  his  hand  consign'd. 

Ay,  he  was  diligent  to  know  your  state. 

To  mark  your  progress  on  your  way  to  heaven, 

'  Reproving  ev'ry  dull  delay,'  each  step 

That  leads  astray  from  virtue's  narrow  path 

Rebuking  with  a  father's  love  and  care. 

He  lov'd  to  meet  you  in  the  house  of  prayer 

On  God's  own  day,  and  break  the  bread  of  life; 

To  greet  you  at  your  firesides,  there  impart 

Paternal  counsels — learn  your  fears,  your  hopes, 

Your  joys,  your  griefs,  with  kind  responding  heart. 

And  lift  for  you  his  supplicating  voice. 

For  you  he  liv'd,  he  pray'd,  he  watch'd,  he  toil'd  ; 

And  did  it  not  in  vain,  ye  can  attest. 

His  witnesses.    For  you  was  spent  his  strength, 

His  latest  strength — ay,  more,  for  you  he  died, 

Nor  held  e'en  life  too  dear  a  sacrifice 

To  do  you  service.    Mark,  sorrowing  flock. 

His  bright  example,  and  his  footsteps  trace. 

His  counsels  heed;  gird  up  your  loins  anew 


408 


MEMOIR  OF  ALVAN  HYDE. 


And  run  the  race,  before  you  set,  nor  lose 
Til'  heavenly  crown. 

Thou  partner  of  his  life,  now  cloth'd  in  grief, 

These  tears  shall  flow  with  thine,  unfeigned. 

I  too  have  lost,  in  him,  a  long-tried  friend, 

A  father  and  a  guide.    His  house,  the  home 

Of  Zion's  friends  and  mine,  thrice  hallow'd  place. 

Full  many  an  anxious  care  has  fled  this  heart. 

To  meet,  at  that  dear  threshold,  smiles  of  love, 

That  voice  of  salutation  kind.    Full  well 

1  lov'd  to  share  a  place,  amid  the  band 

Domestic,  at  the  hour  of  prayer  and  praise, 

A  sacred  hour  of  rev'rence,  peace  and  love. 

'Twas  then  this  world  could  cheat  this  heart  no  more. 

Nor  bribe  me  with  its  vain  alluring  toys. 

For  heaven  was  near,  and  on  its  confines  bow'd 

Each  happy  worshipper.    E'en  angels  seem'd 

To  gather  round,  to  join  in  service  like  their  own. 

The  Bible  he  did  prize  all  price  above, 

And  search'd  and  ponder'd  with  unfailing  care ; 

Light  to  his  feet,  his  ceaseless  counsellor 

When  morn  arose,  and  night  her  curtains  spread. 

O,  he  has  heard  the  welcome  from  the  skies, 
As  he  stood,  watching,  toiling,  at  his  post, 
'  Come  thou,  up  hither,  near  me  take  thy  seat. 
Among  my  first-born  sons.    Thy  work  is  done, 
Well  done,  thou  faithful  servant  of  thy  God  ; 
Here  take  the  joys  thy  Lord  prepares  for  all 
Who,  when  he  comes,  he  finds  so  doing.' 


Otis,  Jan.  1834. 


Errata. 

The  top  line  on  page  15,  should  be  placed  at  the  bottom  of  page 
IC;  and  the  top  liue  on  page  IG,  should  be  at  the  tup  of  page  15. 


